New Liverpool musical from Cardello and Zutons stars

Songs from a new musical from former Zutons guitarist Boyan Chowdhury and Cardello's David South will be heard for the first time at in a preview performance at the Bluecoat next month. The musicians have joined forces with Liverpool scriptwriter Michelle Langan (whose TV credits include Coronation Street and Hollyoaks) to produce Shoebox, a new production set in 1950's Liverpool. Shoebox follows the story of Julia, a young woman whose life is turned upside down after a chance meeting with charming rogue, Gino. When Julia gives birth to Gino's son, Danny, she struggles to keep him from straying down the same path as his father. However, as Danny grows older and his ambition for a better life grips him, Julia finds it impossible to shield him from his inevitable fate. David South first had the initial idea for the show during the final days of his band Cardello. Seeking musical collaboration, he turned to a long- term friend Boyan Chowdhury. David says: "Working with Boyan seemed like a natural partnership, and we were both on the same page when it came to writing the songs for the play." Boyan Chowdhury says: "The performance at The Bluecoat will give an insight into Shoebox without giving too much of the story away. It's a coming of age story with a really nice body of songs to go with it, including some toe-tappers and a couple of slow ones to balance the story. The audience will be gripped as they wonder what will happen to the family." Michelle Langan says, "As the musical is set in Liverpool, we felt strongly that the preview should take place in our home town. I've loved working on Shoebox and I'm hoping that the Liverpool audience will love the songs as much as we do." Shoebox The Preview takes place at The Bluecoat, School Lane on June 6 at 7.30pm, with accompaniment from the Liverpool String Quartet. Tickets are £6.  Photo: Panda Photography