ALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR features music from David Essex’s extensive catalogue, with book written by BOOGIE NIGHTS creator JON CONWAY and is directed by NIKOLAI FOSTER. New set and costume designs are by IAN WESTBROOK with lighting by BEN CRACKNELL and sound by STEVE JONAS.
Inspired by one of his most successful albums, ALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR, DAVID ESSEX plays 'Levi Lee', recently widowed and father of a rebellious teenage son. Danger and mysticism lurk in the future as predicted by the gypsy fortune teller who is in love with Levi. Dodgems and motorbikes, crafty cons and candy floss, fairground horses and fights, along with unrequited love, romance and rock and roll bring out the carnival atmosphere in this underbelly world of fairground life.
The musical drama features a soundtrack of Essex’s most well-known songs which he re-wrote and arranged specifically for this production. These include Winter’s Tale, Hold Me Close, Me And My Girl (Nightclubbing), Silver Dream Machine, Gonna Make You A Star, Rock On and the title track, All the Fun of the Fair. The original sound track of ALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR was recently re-released by Universal and there are two original cast recordings available via www.davidessex.com.
Perhaps best known as a recording artist, DAVID ESSEX first came to prominence in musical theatre, starring as Jesus in the original West End production of Godspell in 1972 and Che in Evita in 1978 with starring roles in the hit films THAT'LL BE THE DAY, STARDUST and SILVER DREAM RACER. He also co-wrote and starred in the original musical Mutiny! which played at the Piccadilly Theatre in 1985 [and the cast album was re-released in 2011.
Since then Essex has combined stage work with his hugely successful recording career, making stage appearances over the years in Sir Peter Hall’s She Stoops To Conquer at the Queen’s Theatre, Footloose The Musical at the Novello Theatre, a national tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Aspects of Love followed by the 2008/9 tour of ALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR which culminated in a London season at the Garrick in 2010. Immediately before the new ALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR tour in 2011 David will be appearing in BBC TV's EASTENDERS as 'Eddie Moon.'
Levi
Rosa
Harvey
Jack
Jonny
Mary
Alice
Druid
Sally
Spiv
Chris
Rita
Chris
Laura
David Essex
Louise English
David Burrows
Rob Compton
Tim Newman
Susan Hallam Wright
Tanya Robb
Barry Bloxham
Susan Hall
James Hill
Gareth Leighton
Louise Lenihan
Luke Baker
Edie Campbell
Music & Lyrics
Book by
Director
Musical Staging &
Assistant Director
Lighting
Sound
Set
Musical Arranger &
Studio Production
Musical Supervisor
Magical Creative
Consultants
David Essex
Jon Conway
Nikolai Foster
Drew McOnie
Ben Cracknell
Sebastian Frost
Ian Westbrook
Ian Wherry
Olly Ashmore
The Twins
Producer
Executive Producer
Associate Producer &
General Manager
Production Manager
Stage Manager
Deputy Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Sound Number 1
Sound Number 2
Lighting Number 1
Lighting Number 2
Wardrobe Co-Ordinator
Wardrobe Supervisor
Alan Darlow
Jon Conway
Richard Linford
Pete Kramer
Andy Parish
Elaine Yeung
Sam Trench
Billy Cook
Gideon Turner
Shaun Clark
Chris Alexander
Daniel Flynn
Samantha Davies
Moira Alderson