Sheffield Confirms Me & My Girl as Xmas Musical

As previously tipped, a major new production of the quintessentially English musical comedy Me and My Girl will launch from Sheffield this Christmas. Directed by Anna Mackmin and choreographed by Olivier Award winner Stephen Mear, the revival will run at Sheffield Crucible from 9 December 2010 (previews from 2 December) until 29 January 2011.

Set in England in 1936, cockney charmer Bill Snibson discover he’s heir to a fortune. But would he rather have a life of luxury than live happily ever after with his girl Sally?

Me and My Girl has music by Noel Gay and lyrics by L Arthur Rose and Douglas Furber who also jointly wrote the book, which was revised in 1984 by actor-writer-comedian Stephen Fry with contributions by Mike Ockrent. The score includes “The Lambeth Walk”, “The Sun Has Got Its Hat On” and the title song.

The musical premiered at the West End’s Savoy Theatre in 1937. The 1984 production, for which Fry made his revisions, ran first at the Leicester Haymarket before transferring to the West End and on to Broadway, running for more than eight years. That famously starred Robert Lindsay and Emma Thompson as the smitten couple. Lindsay won an Olivier and a Tony Award for his performance.

Over the past few years, there have been several attempts at bringing Me and My Girl back into the West End, including the show’s Whatsonstage.com Award-winning 70th anniversary tour and a rumoured revival at the Menier Chocolate Factory. This forthcoming production has also been tipped for London later this year or early next.

Me and My Girl is designed by Peter McKintosh with musical direction by Jae Alexander and orchestration and dance arrangements by Chris Walker. It’s produced by Sheffield Theatres by arrangement with Edward Snape and Alex Armitage. No casting has yet been announced.