Willy Russell launches new musical

Liverpool’s Royal Court is staging its biggest project to date in September with a new musical from one of the city’s much-loved playwrights.

Our Day Out was a massive TV hit when it was originally written in 1976 and was later turned into a popular stage play. In 2009, Willy Russell has re-worked the script and added some fantastic songs (the songs and music co-written with director Bob Eaton) to create Our Day Out – The Musical.

A very funny and heartwarming story, Mrs Kay’s Progress Class are all on board and bound for Alton Towers until Mr Briggs gets on board! The destination changes to a zoo in North Wales but there is no stopping the fun on a trip for the class that always gets left behind. Big dance numbers, instantly recognisable characters and songs so catchy you’ll be singing them for weeks, all feature.

The cast will include Michael Starke (Brookside, Coronation Street), Andrew Schofield (Misery, Brick Up The Mersey Tunnels), Holly Quin-Ankrah (Grange Hill, Rock Rivals), Bradley Clarkson (Grease Is The Word) and Gillian Hardie (Stags and Hens, On The Ledge). A host of talented Liverpool schoolchildren will take on the younger roles and make up the chorus having been chosen from hundreds who auditioned.

As well as the writer Willy Russell, the creative team includes: director Bob Eaton, assistant director Rachel Russell, designer Ellen Cairns, lighting designer Ian Scott, musical director Howard Gray and choreographer Beverley Norris-Edmunds.

Kevin Fearon, chief executive of Royal Court Liverpool, is delighted to be working on the project. He said: “We have been discussing this project with Willy for a long time and we are delighted that he has decided to work with us on what is a great show by a great Liverpool writer. This is the biggest show that we have ever produced here at the Royal Court and we can’t wait to get started.”

Willy Russell added: “I’m delighted to have forged a working relationship with the wonderful Royal Court and to be launching Our Day Out – The Musical with such a stunning company of actors and musicians – not to mention the animals!”

Our Day Out – The Musical will run from Friday 11 September to Saturday 17 October 2009.

*Photograph taken by Dave Evans