Busted star James Bourne’s 1970s-set musical Loserville will make its much-rumoured London premiere this October at the Garrick theatre following a successful regional run.
Co-written by Bourne and award-winning composer Elliot Davis, Loserville, which is inspired by Bourne’s Welcome To Loserville album with his band Son Of Dork, was originally commissioned and workshopped by Youth Music Theatre before West Yorkshire Playhouse staged a professional production this summer to critical acclaim.
Set in 1971, Loserville tells the story of computer geek Michael Dork and his misfit friends Lucas, Marvin and Francis, who are all set to change the course of history, fashion and dating, even if no-one knows it yet. When new girl Holly – a girl with both looks and brains – arrives in town, all of Michael’s dreams seem to be coming true. But Holly is hiding a dark secret and when rich kid Eddie discovers it, he turns his back on girlfriend Leia and sets out to ruin Michael’s future dreams.
Many of the original West Yorkshire Playhouse cast will transfer with the production into the West End, with Aaron Sidwell and Eliza Hope Bennett reprising their roles as the leading romantic pair. They are joined in the cast by Stewart Clarke, who replaces former Eddie, Gareth Gates, Charlotte Harwood, Richard Lowe, Lil’ Chris and Daniel Buckley.
While fans will know Bourne best for his number one hits with bands Busted and Son Of Dork, the young musician has written songs for numerous artists including McFly, The Saturdays, Jonas Brothers and Backstreet Boys. This is his second foray into writing for theatre having previously collaborated with Soho Cinders’ Davis on musical Out There, which was staged at the Riverside Studios.
Joining Bourne and Davis in the creative team is director Steven Dexter, whose West End productions include La Cava, Romance! Romance! and Maddie, and choreographer Nick Winston, whose numerous credits include the National Theatre’s Tell Me On A Sunday and The Wizard Of Oz at the Royal Albert Hall.
To celebrate the new musical, the producers of Loserville have announced there will be 25,000 tickets available for £25 or less during the first booking period. Speaking about the offer, Nica Burns, CEO of Nimax theatres, said: “I had a ball when I saw this show at West Yorkshire Playhouse. For only £25 you too can discover this fresh, fizzy, fun and delightfully original contemporary musical with a young cast bursting with talent. If you aren’t 25, you’ll feel like it!”
Loserville plays from 1 October (press night 17 October) at the Garrick theatre.