West End gala concert of new musical AT LAST, IT’S SUMMER announced

A star-studded company will appear on stage at the London Palladium in a West End Gala charity concert of a new musical, At Last, It’s Summer by Clive Richard Davis on 16 April, with all ticket sales in aid of Parkinson’s UK.

Directed by Ian Talbot, and with choreography from Jordan Langford, the cast includes Louise Dearman as Lady Serina Stanwick, Rob Houchen as Count Orilov, Joanna Riding as Countess Orilov, Gary Wilmot as Mr Wellbeloved, Gerard Carey as Gerald, Steve Fortune as Sir Garfield Sykes, Kelly Mathieson as Lady Alice Stanwick, Shannon Rewcroft as Francesca, and Alan Titchmarsh as the Narrator.

Larry Blank orchestrates a sumptuous score and will lead a 35-piece orchestra, alongside Jack Bennett as Musical Director. Casting is by Richard Johnston.

Further casting for the company of 30 will be announced.

It’s summer 1920, and in an idyllic country estate in the leafy shires of England the Lord of the Manor celebrates his birthday. While a new love blossoms, an unexpected arrival throws the whole house into disarray as dark secrets escape the past. 

Clive Richard Davis said: “The story idea laid fallow in my head for years; a plot to hang some earworm melodies around.   That is where it would have stayed were it not for the gentle ribbing of chums who thought it more likely a donkey would win the Derby than that I would finish the thing, with its impossibly convoluted plot.   The challenge was set and accepted.   Sadly, one of the prime culprits is no longer with us, him having finally given up the battle with Parkinson’s.   Paul was struck down with the dreadful disease at far too early an age as was my wife’s father.   If the ticket proceeds can contribute to finding a cure for Parkinson’s I could not wish for more.”

Tickets are on sale now here.