Gay’s The Word is the first professional revival of Ivor Novello’s witty 1951 musical in which Dame Cicely Courtneidge originally created a sensation.

Ivor Novello sends up his own Ruritanian extravagances in this irrestistible backstage musical comedy, which tells the story of stage star Gay Daventry who opens a drama school after being bankrupted by the flop of her latest operetta. After various misadventures, she finds that the one quality needed to get her back in the spotlight is to name the show’s hit song Vitality.

Directed and choreographed by Stewart Nicholls, Gay’s The Word returns with a cast that includes Sheila White and Helena Blackman.

Looking to see some musical theatre? Find out more about London musicals.