The Far Pavilions confirmed at Shaftesbury Theatre from 24 March 2005.

The Far Pavilions confirmed at Shaftesbury Theatre from 24 March 2005.

It is now officially confirmed that The Far Pavilions,a new £4 million musical based on the novel by M.M. Kaye, will open at the Shaftesbury Theatre 14 April 2005, following previews from 24 March 2005.

Tickets go on sale Sunday 21 Nov 2004.

Cast to be announced!!

The musical has Book & Lyrics by Stephen Clark, music by Philip Henderson. Based on the novel by M.M.Kaye.

It is directed by Gale Edwards, Designed by Lez Brotherston, lighting by Peter Mumford, costumes by Andreanne Neofitou, choreography by Piali Ray, sound by Rick Clarke.

It is produced by Michael E Ward and John Whitney, in association with Arjun C Waney and Reita Gadkari.

Described by critics as a "Gone With The Wind" of the North West Frontier', the novel topped the New York Times Bestseller List on publication 25 years ago, selling over 15 million copies in 16 languages. It was adapted in 1983 as a television mini-series, starring Ben Cross, Amy Irving and Omar Sarif.

M. M. Kaye, who is survived by two daughters, was tremendously excited by the project, having been consulted regularly during its development. "Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine 'The Far Pavilions' would be turned into a West End musical. I don't mind telling you that if I should fall off my worldly twig before curtain is up, I shall make an awful nuisance of myself in the next life unless I am allowed back to see it run!" M. M. Kaye died at the age of 95 in January this year.

The Far Pavilions spans the 25 years between the Sepoy Uprisings of 1857 and the Second Afghan War, telling the story of forbidden love between a British Officer 'Ashton Pelham-Martyn' and an Indian Princess 'Anjuli' . This epic story evokes the romance of India, the intriguue of the Rajput Court and the over-confidence of an Empire at the height of its power.