A poignant First World War musical by young Kent performers is transferring to the West End.

The Dreamers, about the selfless valour of Captain David ‘Reggie’ Salomons in Gallipoli one hundred years ago, was written by twenty-something Kent writers James Beeney and Gina Georgio and features a cast of 20 and a band of six musicians called the Virgin soldiers.

The show combines stirring music with factual narration from Amanda Redman, Sir Tim Rice and Sue Holderness, among others, to tell the story of the Great War through the eyes of the soldiers and the families the left behind.

Among the performers – who are all roughly the age of those who lost their lives in the play’s real-life disaster - are Alex Beharrell, 27, from Orpington, Greenwich’s Kate Abbott, 24, and Georgia Morrison, 24, from Bromley.



Having moved audiences to tears at the Assembly Halls in Tunbridge Wells in October, The Dreamers will transfer to St James Theatre in the West End from June 30 to July 11.

The theatre’s director Lady Lucy French is the great granddaughter of Sir John French, who commanded the British Expeditionary Forces in 1914 and 1915.

She said: “This is exactly what the centenary should be about, young people engaging, getting involved, playing their part. This music captures the essence of commemoration across the generations.”

Former Newstead Wood School for Girls pupil Georgia Morrison plays Viola with Virgin Soldiers.

She said: “To be able to perform as a band to audiences in the West End is an incredible feeling, and something I never would have imagined myself doing a few years ago.

“It's so different from playing in the pit because we're actually part of the action on stage - every performance feels exciting."

The Dreamers is at St James Theatre from June 30 to July 11. Tickets cost from £15. Go to stjamestheatre.co.uk or call 0844 2642140.