Now is Good: New musical from Tim Firth to premiere at Storyhouse Chester

A brand new musical from Tim Firth will have its world premiere at Storyhouse this Spring.

The award-winning stage and screen writer Tim Firth (Calendar Girls The Musical, Kinky Boots and The Band) will bring Now is Good to the Chester venue from 11-28 May.

The musical will be directed by Joyce Branagh and arranged by George Francis.

The cast will star Michele Dotrice (Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em, A Very English Scandal) with further cast and creatives to be announced.

Now is Good is a musical comedy about the greatest challenges currently facing humanity: how to help your children, where to hide your biscuits and how to fight loneliness.  

When builder Ray and his son Neil embark on a very personal renovation project, it unlocks a bank of memories – and with the arrival of some unexpected help, it also takes an extraordinary turn.

Tim Firth said: “I like to think that shows pick their own titles. I stumbled on a phrase during my first chat with Storyhouse.

“In the intervening years, with the world seemingly on a different planet, I found myself writing a comic musical about combatting loneliness. Not only that; apart from having live tigers on stage, it’s a story that involves one of the riskiest things ever attempted in a theatre.

“But we mustn’t lose our willingness to take risks in order to have fun. Life’s too short. Now is good. The title is having its day.”

Storyhouse producer Helen Redcliffe added: “We’re very excited to be working with Tim Firth to stage this fantastic new musical for Storyhouse audiences.

“Now Is Good is a beautiful, tender and feelgood show which is filled with Tim’s trademark wit, humour and humanity as well as some fantastic melodies. We can promise it will be a magical experience.”

For more information and tickets (on sale from 2 February), visit storyhouse.com