Dave Willetts leads cast of Davis and Bourne's Out There at the Union

Cast announced for Elliot Davis and James Bourne's new musical.

Casting has been announced for Elliot Davis and James Bourne's new musical Out There which runs at the Union Theatre from 21 September to 8 October 2016, with an official opening on 23 September 2016.

Dave Willetts will lead the cast as Ned Thomas alongside Luke Street as Logan Carter, Neil Moors as David Carter, Imelda Warren-Green as Jamie Pack, Melissa Veszi as Sheriff Marti Pack, Adam Pettit as Billy, Rhys Owens as Stan, Jodee Conrad as Celia Carter, Melissa Bayern as Linda Wares, Thea Jo Wolfe as Hope Carter and Shane Gibb as Newman Carter. The role of David Carter will be played by Christopher Howell between 1st and 3rd October.

Directed by Michael Burgen, the production has musical direction by Joe Louis Robinson, choreography by Lisa Mathieson, lighting by Iain Dennis and design by Nik Corrall.

"Newman Carter, a world famous astronaut mysteriously disappears in 1969. Forty years later, a troubled young man, turns up on his doorstep with a letter which changes everything for everyone."

Out There is described as "an original tale crossing three generations; sons, fathers and grandfathers". It features a country inspired score created by James Bourne and Elliot Davis - the team behind the West End musical Loserville.

Davis spoke about the creation of the musical: "After writing Loserville, James and I wanted to write something different. We both love country music and at the time James was writing in Nashville which became the inspiration for the sound world in which we have set our story. At the same time I had been inspired by the first ten minutes of Pixar's 'Up' and also a chance re-watching of the classic 'On Golden Pond.' I had an idea to tell a story about a family and the circularity of dysfunction told through the male line of three generations. This, together with mine and James' love of sci-fi, was the beginnings of the story structure for Out There."

Dave Willetts starred in the original production of Les Miserables at the Barbican and Palace Theatre, and took over the role of Jean Valjean from Colm Wilkinson. Other credits include the title role in The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, South Pacific, Sunset Boulevard and the London premiere of Ragtime.

Tickets for Out There at the Union Theatre are now on sale.