The show, previously seen in a concert staging at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2008, is looking for a West End berth in 2009. The cast for the reading includes Samuel Barnett (original National Theatre and Broadway cast of The History Boys, and the subsequent film), Daniel Evans (Sunday in the Park with George in the West End and on Broadway), Julian Forsyth, Josefina Gabrielle (Oklahoma! at the National, West End and Broadway), Ceri Ann Gregory, Simon Green, Ella Smith, Anton Stephans and Sally Ann Triplett.

Based on Guy de Maupassant's short story, "The Necklace," Mathilde tells the story of a Parisienne beauty who feels trapped in her ordinary life. Aspirations drive Mathilde and her husband into a web of intrigue, debt and a dalliance with the Paris underworld.

Mitchell's previous musical theatre works include Have a Nice Life at the Lyric Belfast and New York Musical Theatre Festival, where it won Best Score; Merry Christmas Betty Ford at the Lyric Belfast; Missing Mel for Youth Music Theatre; and Otto at LAMDA.

Admittance to the reading is by invitation only. For further information on the reading, the musical and composer Conor Mitchell, visit www.mathildethemusical.com.