Alan Ayckbourn is directing a new musical version of his 1998 play The Boy Who Fell Into a Book which premieres at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough (18 July to 31 August, press night 22 July) in his 75th birthday year.
Ten-year-old Kevin Carter falls into his book and meets his fictional hero, tough hard-bitten Private Investigator, Rockfist Slim – 220 pounds of solid muscle and now only too real. Together the gallant, incongruous pair, pursued by arch-enemy Monique, set out on the most exciting journey of their lives on a quest to save the world!
The production reunites the team responsible for The Demon Headmaster (National Theatre Studio and UK No.1 tour), and sees Ayckbourn collaborate with Paul James, who has written the musical adaptation and lyrics, and composers Cathy Shostak and Eric Angus who have created the music.
Alan Ayckbourn says: “I think they’ve caught the spirit of the play very closely; Paul, Cathy and Eric obviously love the piece and, as a director, I’ll happily hitch a ride along with that sort of enthusiasm.
“It’s a family show – not a children’s show. It’s for anyone who ever secretly read under the bed clothes as a child and who has ever been captivated by a story in a book. In terms of a musical it’s small scale, in that it doesn’t have a cast of hundreds, but I feel with big potential.”
Musical adaptor and lyricist Paul James adds: “I think it’s important when writing any musical, particularly a family show, to repeatedly ask questions like ‘Is the plot clear?’ ‘Do the songs move things along?’ ‘Do they sing well?’ And – most important of all – ‘Is it fun?’ Having worked closely with Alan, as both original author and director, having successfully workshopped the show, and having now assembled such a hugely talented cast, I think we can holler ‘Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!’ And it really is a show for all ages – the kids’ll love the clever stuff, the adults the slapstick.”
The cast features Nicolas Colicos (By Jeeves, SJT; The Bodyguard, Adelphi Theatre) as Rockfist Slim; Evelyn Hoskins (This is My Family, Sheffield Crucible) who plays Kevin; Katie Birtill (Priscilla Queen of the Desert, UK tour; Dreamboats and Petticoats, West End) as Monique and Mummy Wubbly; Stephen Matthews (The Lion King, Lyceum Theatre) as Red Gareth and Ebeneezer; John Barr (Hairspray, Leicester Curve) as Red Bishop; and Natasha J Barnes (Chess, Union Theatre) in four parts including the White Queen.
The world premiere of The Boy Who Fell Into a Book is designed by Michael Holt, lighting design is by Jason Taylor and the musical director is Mark Warman.
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