Christopher Timothy and Louise English join David Essex in the cast of All the Fun of the Fair which previews from 20 April at London’s Garrick Theatre, with press night on 28 April and is running until 5 September 2010. David Essex plays Levi Lee, the owner of a fading fun fair, and the leading role of his son Jack, will be played by Michael Pickering.

All the Fun of the Fair features music from David Essex’s extensive catalogue, with book written by Jon Conway and is directed by David Gilmore. New set and costume designs are by Ian Westbrook with lighting by Ben Cracknell and sound by Steve Jonas. All the Fun of the Fair is produced in the West End by Alan Darlow, Jon Conway and Lee Dean, following a hugely successful nationwide tour.

The full cast is David Essex (Levi), Christopher Timothy (Harvey), Louise English (Rosa), Michael Pickering (Jack), Nicola Brazil (Alice), Cameron Jack (Druid), Susan Hallam-Wright (Mary), Chris Holland (Kipper), Kieran Jae (Scotty), Tom Kanavan (Spiv), Tim Newman (Slow Jonny), Robert Rees (Chris), Emily Tierney (Sally), Tricia Adele Turner (Laura), Shona White (Rita) and Danielle York (Maisy).

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 sound track of All the Fun of the Fair will be re-released by Universal in April to coincide with the opening of the show.

Though 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. 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 and most recently a national tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Aspects of Love. He also co-wrote and starred in the original musical Mutiny! which played at the Piccadilly Theatre in 1985.