EXCLUSIVE: Jamie Parker joins cast of A Little Night Music at the Palace Theatre

The History Boys star Jamie Parker has been announced as the latest addition to the cast of a 40th anniversary concert production of A Little Night Music next year.

The one-off concert, on 26 January 2015, will be held at the Palace Theatre and features Anne Reid as Madame Armfeldt, Janie Dee as Desiree Armfeldt, David Birrell as Fredrik Egerman and Joanna Riding as Countess Charlotte.

Parker – whose credits include Sky in Guys and Dolls (Chichester Festival Theatre), Hal in Proof (Menier Chocolate Factory) and Scripps in The History Boys (Broadway, National Theatre and film) – replaces the previously announced Simon Bailey in the role of Count Carl Magnus in the performance of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler‘s musical.

The evening will be directed by Alastair Knights (Putting It Together, The Elaine Paige Show) and choreographed by WhatsOnStage Award-winner Andrew Wright (Singin' in the Rain, Guys and Dolls).

Inspired by Ingmar Bergman's film Smile Of A Summer Night, the action of A Little Night Music takes place in a weekend country house in turn-of-the-century Sweden.

The party consists of middle-aged Fredrik Egerman, his teenage trophy wife Anne, his son Henrik, the intriguing and beautiful actress Desiree Armfeldt, her mother Madame Armfeldt, the ferociously jealous Count Carl-Magnus, and his long-suffering wife Charlotte.

The show, which features music and lyrics by Sondheim and a book by Hugh Wheeler, premiered on Broadway in 1973 and was first seen in the West End in 1975. The score includes "Every Day a Little Death", "Weekend in the Country" and the iconic "Send in the Clowns".

The concert performance will feature a 25-piece orchestra under the musical direction of Alex Parker (The Pajama Game, Stephen Ward), who also produces.

Tickets are available through the Nimax website priced at £55, £45, £35, £30 and £20.