This is Hull and East Riding --It has taken the cast from a barn to the Albert Hall. Beyond The Barricade – a "jukebox" of songs from West End musicals – has hit a sweet spot with audiences.
The show has been performed at the Albert Hall, where it was backed by a 100- piece choir, and in countries across Europe.
Now in its 15th year, the show's co-deviser, David Fawcett, is pleased at where it has taken them.
Not least when he looks back to its first production.
Held as a charity fundraiser in a Sussex barn, the show's initial performance took place on a stage made from wooden pallets.
"It was a bit odd but it went down very well," said David.
"We thought to ourselves, 'We might have a production here'."
Since its initial outing in 1999 – as a fundraiser for Mencap – the show has continued to perform a mix of songs from the musicals.
The production, which arrives at Hull New Theatre next month, includes excerpts from more shows ranging from Les Misérables and Miss Saigon to Blood Brothers.
"We've also looked back to some older musicals, such as Carousel and West Side Story, and given them a modern slant," David said.
"It is a jukebox of what is in the West End at the moment, and has been over the past 25 years."
Songs from more than 20 musicals are performed by David and Andy Reiss, who devised the show.
They are joined by Katie Leeming and Rebecca Vere, both of whom have starred in Les Misérables.
The show is sung and played live. Andy, together with John Cornford, the show's original keyboard player, have worked on recreating the orchestrations of the music.
From 25 dates in the first year, the company now stages about 100 performances annually.
Alongside theatres, the show is performed on cruise ships.
"It is a week's holiday and 45 minutes of performance," said David.
"Some people might mock but the standards required are so high.
"There are 800-seater theatres of the standard you'd find in the West End, with lighting systems that you wouldn't find in many theatres in this country."
The show's co-founders met in the Manchester production of Les Misérables during its first run outside of London.
They later reunited when they appeared in the West End production, where David played the lead role of Jean Valjean, and Andy many of the male characters, including Valjean and Enjolras.
They have established a show that now gains regular return visitors.
"We have people coming back every time – it is like seeing old friends," David said.
Beyond The Barricade
When: Thursday, February 6, 7.30pm
Where: Hull New Theatre, Kingston Square, Hull
Tickets: £18.50-£19.50
Call: 01482 300300
Link: www.beyondthe barricade.com Reported by This is 7 hours ago.