Welcome to Charlie's Story, a new musical in development.

Synopsis

Charlie is the successful manager of Chelsea’s top designer cocktail bar. He lives for today and enjoys a constant stream of celebrity customers, lovers and overflowing cash tills. When his boss finds drugs in the bar and closes it down, Charlie's life spins out of control and his best mate takes a fatal overdose.  With life at a new low, Charlie experiences a spiritual journey (or is it a dream?) that he doesn't understand but knows something has changed inside. Will he prove his innocence to his boss and win Rachel, the girl with a dark secret?  But, most of all, will he discover the person he was born to be and claim his birthright? 

To date, the show has been performed to over 100 people at our workshops in November 2006 and October 2007. Read what the guests thought about it...

It's new

Many of the musicals on the West End stage are revivals (La Cage aux Folles, Oklahoma etc.) or shows of films/books/TV series (Calendar Girls, Grease, The 39 steps etc.). There is little genuinely new work. Although many are successful, we believe there is demand for new, contemporary material that will entertain and touch the heart-strings of its audiences and specifically appeal to our target market.

"A wonderful, thought-provoking story about life"

"I was captivated throughout, felt moved and emotional, quite something for a stage performance to achieve."

"The twist was a stroke of brilliance. I believe the 'hopeful' ending is the start of a new trend"

"Being in the Light is freedom."

"I am still humming 'We are the online generation' and I thought all the songs were immediately easy to listen to and enjoy."

Back to top

It's relevant

The storyline features some of the everyday issues that many people of our target age group are facing in their own lives – drugs, broken parental relationships, work pressures, the search for a spiritual answer to life's challenges….and more. Some guests revealed that they shared the experiences of the cast:

"I related completely to Charlie as he is the personification of a London man trapped by the world."

"I related to Bob. I too had a 'life changing experience' through my girlfriend becoming pregnant." (Sorry, Bob's been cut from the cast now!)

"Current issues are addressed with humour and seriousness – challenging where hope is found in the 21st century"

"Man at a crossroads without knowing it, needing something meaningful in his life"

"Material things are fragile. Freedom is found in forgiveness"

"Felt very encouraged. Made me think about my own past and present situations. Brought me close to tears."

Back to top

It's fun

The storyline includes a "love interest" – with a twist. Charlie falls for a girl who is involved with another man. That's never been a problem for him before but this time it doesn't work out quite the way he thought...

There's plenty of humour, irony and straightforward jokes in the conversation and the songs to keep you smiling when the emotional temperature rises.

"It's amazing how one or two things can change your life very quickly when you think everything's going fine!"

"It took me on a rollercoaster of emotions but I felt uplifted at the end."

"It is alternately funny and sad. Amusing jokes in the lyrics"

"It's like an episode of 'Friends' co-written by Ingmar Bergman – and all the better for it!"

"Your musical about faith and spiritual renewal sounds very interesting. I hope it sees the light of day. Good luck."
Michael Billington
Drama critic, The Guardian