A new musical written for the High Wycombe community is set to be performed in the town this month.

Penguin Musicals, a community production group, is preparing to bring their first show to the town on October 23 and 24.

The family-friendly show is based on the Hans Christian Anderson tale The Emperor’s New Clothes but boasts extra characters, new storylines and big chorus numbers with a 17-piece live orchestra.

Patrick Gazard, who has directed several musicals at Sir William Borlase's Grammar School in Marlow and worked with the Wycombe Swan on their Footloose and Singin’ in the Rain youth theatre productions, has taken on the challenge of writing a whole new show.

He said: “I’ve always wanted to write a musical, and to be able to produce it for the community of High Wycombe is a blessing.

“The cast are amazing and have taken it in their stride. I’m so pleased.”

Penguin Musicals is supported by Buckinghamshire Learning Trust Music and even offered rehearsal space for performers at High Wycombe Music Centre and Millbrook Combined School, as well as helping with the design, printing and distribution of posters and flyers across the county's schools.

Claire O’Regan, Development Coordinator for BLTM and Penguin Musicals said: “We felt it important to support this venture and give the community new opportunities to take part in music, which is something we are very passionate about.

“It is important to us and Penguin musicals to be able to produce new productions which also give opportunities for new script writers and composers too and look forward to new musicals year on year for High Wycombe.”

The Emperor’s New Clothes comes to the Arts4Every1 Arts Centre on Desborough Road on Friday, October 23 at 7.30pm and Saturday, October 24 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

Visit www.penguinmusicals.co.uk or www.arts4every1.com for more information.