Sherman Theatrical Entertainment Ltd and Green Room Ents Ltd have announced showcase performances of new family musical Love Birds by Robert J. Sherman on 20 & 21 September.

Directed by Ian Talbot, the cast includes Tanisha-Mae Brown, Anna-Jane Casey, Matthew Croke, Jessica Daley, Momar Diagne, Tom Edden, Bessy Ewa, Hadley Fraser, Eugene McCoy, Jacob McIntosh, Jack Ofrecio and Tosh Wanogho-Maud.

An original musical with a book, music & lyrics by Robert J. Sherman, this fantastical story takes place during the ‘Age of Vaudeville’ and centres around a quartet of penguins and a trio of parrots who sing and dance in a one-of-a-kind, all-avian revue. When the show’s temperamental star, an Italian, opera-singing macaw (Baalthazar) succumbs to an addiction to ‘Crunchy Crackers’, it threatens to close down the show forever.

Writer Robert J Sherman said: “Love Birds celebrates passion and love. It says that life is fleeting and that love is rare. If you’re lucky enough in this life to find love—Fly to it! Love Birds is about finding forgiveness and acceptance and the joy that enters our lives when we do. The birds in our show are a metaphor for performers. They exude majesty and grace and colour. But like birds, performers are fragile creatures requiring protection from the cruder aspects of this world.”

Julian Bird from Green Room Ents said: “It is a joy for us to work on this uplifting and exciting new musical for all the family, working alongside a wonderful creative team bringing Robert J Sherman’s magical world to life. This is the start of what we hope will be a long journey for this show around the world.“

The workshop performances features musical arrangements by Paul Herbert, musical direction by George Dyer, choreography by Ashley Nottingham, design by Gabriella Slade, and casting by Jill Green Casting.