The full cast has been announced for heart-warming new musical Son of a Preacher Man which runs at the Wycombe Swan from November 28 to December 2. 

Joining Diana Vickers, Debra Stephenson and Ian Reddington are Michael Howe, Michelle Long, Kate Hardisty, Cassiopeia Berkeley-Agyepong, Lewis Kidd, Liam Vincent-Kilbride, Jon Bonner, Rachel McAllister, Ellie-Jane Goddard, Gary Mitchinson and Jess Barker.

Featuring the soulful music of Dusty Springfield, with a book by Warner Brown and directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood, Son of a Preacher Man has been on a national tour and Revel Horwood explained about his role as director.

He said: “I didn’t want to have a battle with the director and see the line where the director finishes his work and the choreography began. 

“For me it’s a lot easier to have one concept of a piece applied. I did it so I could have arguments with myself rather than with someone else.”

It’s Revel Horwood’s first go at this type of musical and he is absolutely loving the challenge.

He added: “It’s a joy to work on. The Dusty music lends itself to good storytelling, and that’s really important: her stories always have beginning, a middle and an end. 

“And they’re very soulful. A lot of people will be surprised when they see the songs come to life. Her lyrics are really quite poignant. 

“She tells human stories with amazing rhythms that can be applied to men or women and crosses through to being gay as well. That’s why her music is universal.”

Revel Horwood also explained how he has interacted with the cast on the production.

He said: “I have to give them notes and tell them how I feel. I’m quite direct. When you go to work you’re a different person and when you knock off you become yourself again.”