The musical is inspired by "Welcome to Loverville," an album by Son of Dork of which Bourne is a member. It will be directed by Steven Dexter, with choreography by Nick Winston, and produced by West Yorkshire Playhouse, Kevin Wallace for FIRST ACT! Limited & Youth Music Theatre UK.
According to press materials, the show is about "dating, binary and staying true to your dreams." "The class of 1971 have reached their senior year. Michael, Lucas, Francis and Marvin are about to revolutionise the world when a new complication enters their life -- girls. When the brilliantly clever and stunningly beautiful Holly arrives in town all of Michael's dreams seem to be coming true, but arch nemesis Eddie has his sights on stealing Michael's perfect girl and taking all the credit for his world changing ideas. Aaron Sidwell plays super-smart geek Michael Dork, with newcomer Richard Howe as Lucas, Lil' Chris as Francis and Eliza Hope Bennett as Holly." Eddie is played by Gareth Gates, with Charlotte Harwood as Leia.
Also in the cast are Jade Albertsen, Sophie Ayers, Laura Bennett, Robbie Boyle, Matthew Bradley, Daniel Buckley, Andrew Carthy, Lauren Hall, Dan Krikler, Duncan Leighton, Megan Louch, Ashley Luke Lloyd, Sarah Watson and Witney White.
Gates shot to fame a decade ago as the runner up in the UK’s first "Pop Idol." His UK stage roles include playing Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and playing Marius in the 25th anniversary tour of Les Miserables. He has also appeared in TV's "Dancing on Ice" competition, in which he placed fourth.
Sidwell is best known for his role as Steven Beale in TV's "EastEnders." Lil' Chris (Chris Hardman) starred in "Rock School" at the age of 16, and subsequently released two albums. In 2008 he had his own Channel 4 series "Everybody Loves Lil' Chris." Bennett has appeared in "Nanny McPhee" and "Inkheart." Harwood is currently playing Vivienne in the tour of Legally Blonde - the Musical, and other credits include She Loves Me (Chichester's Minerva Theatre) and Flashdance (West End's Shaftesbury Theatre). Bourne has written seven number one hit songs, had numerous top three singles, and played to sold-out arenas across the UK. He has won two Brit Awards and played two Royal Variety Performances. As an artist and songwriter, it is estimated he has sold over six million records. He has also written for numerous other artists including McFly, The Saturdays, Jonas Brothers and Pixie Lott.
Davis is a writer and composer, who has written Out There and Loserville with Bourne and co-wrote Soho Cinders with Anthony Drewe that features music by George Stiles.
To book tickets, contact the box office on 0113 213 7700, or visit www.wyp.org.uk.
