Marti Webb reunites with David Essex for Godspell gala

Marti Webb, who recently returned to the West End in the Olivier Award-nominated revival of Tell Me on a Sunday, will reunite with David Essex and other original members of the rock musical Godspell at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue on 19 May 2014.

Stephen Schwartz's musical is being staged in the West End for the first time since it premiered at Wyndham's Theatre 42 years ago as a one-off charity gala in aid of Make-A-Wish Foundation UK.

As previously reported, the event will be introduced on stage by David Essex, whose casting as Jesus in the original production catapulted him to fame.

Now his 1974 co-stars, Marti Webb, Gay Soper, Tom Saffery, Deryk Parkin and Jacquie Ann Carr are confirmed to join him on stage at the end of the evening.

Julie Covington, who was also in the original cast, will be abroad and unable to attend, but it is reportedly hoped that Jeremy Irons – who played John the Baptist – can join them, subject to filming commitments.

Producer and musical director Russell Scott said: "We are delighted that so many of the original stars of Godspell can join us at the Lyric – their presence will make the evening extra special for fans of the musical and provide an emotional finale to the evening."

Godspell will star Zoe Tyler and Andy Abraham, with a West End cast, a live band and a 32-strong choir led by members of Maida Vale Singers and American Musical Theatre Academy.

For further info and tickets, visit www.godspellinconcert.com