Sixties Swing Anew in Carnaby Street Musical???

Shout!’s recent West End shout at the Arts Theatre may have been short-lived (See News, 21 May 2009), but another new musical taking its inspiration from the Swinging Sixties may have more luck. We hear director Bob Tomson is signed up to helm Carnaby Street.

Set in the eponymous fashionable London street in the 1960s, the show follows the story of Jude as he makes the journey from working-class lad to become a rock ‘n’ roll star, against a backdrop of both period pop classics and, apparently, some original music too.

We hear that Carnaby Street will kick off a three-month tour from the Churchill Theatre in Bromley next February, but casting rumours suggest that it may ultimately end up in town. Amongst the names in the mix for lead roles are Jennifer Ellison and Claire Sweeney.

Bob Tomson is best known for his work with producer Bill Kenwright over the years, including Blood Brothers and, just confirmed for its West End transfer following an extensive tour, another period pop musical , Dreamboats and Petticoats, which moves into the Savoy Theatre next month (See News, 15 Jun 2009).