New musical God is a DJ in development, penned by Paddington show writer Jessica Swale

A new musical titled God Is A DJ is in development, bringing club and DJ culture to the stage.

The piece is written by Jessica Swale and directed by Vicky Featherstone, with musical supervision and orchestration by Matthew Brind.

The show combines a live DJ and band with dance music, and centres on a story about relationships, fame and music. The title track “God Is A DJ” has been written for the show by composer David Arnold with songwriter Karen Poole and dance music artist Sam Harper.

Brind and Swale recently worked on the Paddington musical together, while Featherstone was previously artistic director at the Royal Court.

Swale explained the premise: “How could I resist the opportunity to join Vicky and Matthew, two such inspiring creative forces, in making a piece of work which truly challenges the boundaries of conventional playmaking. I’ve always loved collaborating with live musicians, but we’re exploding those boundaries to see what happens when you mix intimate storytelling with heart-stopping immersive sound. I can’t wait!”

Featherstone added: “Having fallen deeply in love with clubbing and dance music at the Haçienda and the Paradise Factory in the Manchester of the ’90s, the opportunity to bring that experience to the stage in a musical which celebrates our eternal search to belong and to exist as one, even for a moment, feels very special. Nothing can ever replace the feeling as we all raise our arms in the air, forgetting the world outside and are taken to a different place by the skill of the DJ and the music.

“Fusing that with theatre alongside such great collaborators, where we can also explore the dark heart which lurks within that world, is a real adventure.”

God Is A DJ is conceived by producer Irit Ten Hengel. Ten Hengel previously worked on the musical Obsessed, based on songwriter Diane Warren. Donna Munday will serve as executive producer.

Further details, including future plans for the production, are to be announced.