Revival of Scott Alan’s The Distance You Have Come planned

Original cast members will reunite for the upcoming revival of award-winning composer and lyricist Scott Alan’s The Distance You Have Come at the Apollo Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue for two performances in June.

The song cycle which was first seen at London’s Cockpit Theatre in 2018 will be performed at the Apollo Theatre on 21 and 28 June with Kirk Jameson taking over from Alan as director. Returning stars Andy Coxon (Hair, The Vaults, Yank! Charing Cross Theatre), Adrian Hansel (Starlight Express, Apollo Victoria, Five Guys Named Moe, Marble Arch Theatre), Emma Hatton (Evita, Phoenix Theatre, Wicked, Apollo Theatre), Dean John-Wilson (The King and I, London Palladium, Aladdin, Prince Edward Theatre) and Alexia Khadime (Wicked, Apollo Theatre, The Lion King, Lyceum Theatre) will be joined by Alice Fearn (Come From Away, Phoenix Theatre, Wicked, Apollo Theatre).

Featuring some of Alan’s most popular songs, The Distance You Have Come takes its audience on a journey through a year in the intertwined lives of six very different people.

Welcoming the return of the show, Alan said: “When the producers for The Distance You Have Come approached me about getting the cast and creatives back together for a reunion in the West End, my only hesitation was knowing I couldn’t travel to direct this two night only event. Thankfully we have entrusted the talent of Kirk Jameson to bring the story to life. Joined by the returning talents of Scott Hayes (musical director/ orchestrator) and Andrew Ellis (lighting), I can’t imagine a more beautiful night out at the theatre.

“One of the things I love so much about this show is the group of people who joined together to create its original inception. Since our final performance, we have continued to stay in touch via zoom reunions and weekly WhatsApp conversations. This group of people have truly become a family. A family that I love and adore and trust my music and work to in my absence. This pandemic has put a strain on all of us in and out of the theatre profession, both financially and emotionally. My hope is that we can give our audience two hours to clear their minds of the current state of the world around us. Nothing would make me prouder as a writer than to know my work may have the chance to do just that.”

Jameson heads a creative team that includes the original musical director and orchestrator Scott Hayes and original lighting designer Andrew Ellis. The original production design is by Simon Daw.

The Apollo Theatre will operate under strict Government safety guidelines. All bookings in a party must be from the same household or the same legally defined support bubble.

Commenting on the performances, producers Sevans Productions and Krystal Lee added: “The safety of our cast, team, and audience members is paramount. We will initially go on sale in a socially distanced capacity, but we will continue to review this in accordance with updated government guidance.”

Angela Thomas