Willy Russell's our day out

By Catherine Jones on Jun 22, 09 05:53 PM

I went to the launch of Our Day Out at the Royal Court at lunchtime - and they served us all a school packed lunch!
I felt like I should at least be on a coach when I tucked into the sandwiches in foil and the crisps and chocolate....

You may have seen from the interview I did in today's Echo, but Willy and director Bob Eaton have created a new, improved, all singing, all dancing Our Day Out - their third, but they tell me their best, collaboration on the seminal school tale in 25 years.
The young cast were keen and excited, and they will be joined by Drew Schofield and Mickey Starke among others when it hits the stage in September.
Three of the original songs from the first stage show at the Everyman remain, including I'm In Love With Sir which is impossibly catchy.
Incidently, I had a good chat with Howard Gray the musical director of the show and it turned out that we were from the same neck of the woods (Worcestershire) and knew quite a few people in common.
In fact, he went out with a girl two years ahead of me at school and, he was telling me, for a short time he also went out with Rik Mayall's sister Kate.
Small world.
I must be the only person in the universe who hasn't seen (or at least can't remember seeing) Our Day Out so I look forward to September with anticipation.....