A FORMER Red Coat plans to put on a “huge spectacle” to raise money for the Mayor of High Wycombe's Appeal – and has even persuaded the mayor herself to step into the spotlight.

Kevin Taylor, 41, produces and directs the forthcoming musical montage, Cirque de Musique, which features a cast of around 120 performers from across south Bucks.

The former P&O cruise-ship worker also directed last year's smash hit show in aid of the Mayor's Appeal, but he has promised this year will be on a mammoth scale after being inspired by the entertainers from Zippo's Circus – who will make a special appearance.

The production will also feature tap dancing troupes, the winners of Wycombe's Got Talent, Tristram and Noma Nkosi, and the return of the High Wycombe Big Bang.

And if that was not enough, Mr Taylor has even persuaded his partner and town mayor Julie Pritchard to leave her chain of office at home and flex her vocal skills as Evita.

Mr Taylor said: “It's going to be great, we've got Zippo's Circus performing, which is the inspiration for the whole show.

“We went to the circus last year and I was just blown away by their opening act and I said to Julie – that's what I want to do next year, make the show a huge spectacle.

“So we've almost doubled the number of performers, we've got tap dancers, Irish Dancers, an Elton John tribute act, I'm going to sing a couple of number – it should be great.

“Rehearsals are going very well, obviously it's hard work for everyone involved at the moment, but the performers give so much they really are a credit to the district.”

The former Butlins Red Coat has started up his own company, Patrick Eastman Entertainment, which aims to give young performers a chance to break into the big time and also raise money for charity.

The former Minehead resident, who moved to High Wycombe 12 years ago, says while he would like for the business to take off, the main goal is to give young performers a break and give something back to the south Buckinghamshire community.

He said: “It's all about the charity for me and giving these youngsters the opportunity to act, sing and dance on a big stage and continue to raise money for the Mayor's Appeal.

“I lived in Minehead for 10 years before coming here and I've never come across a town like Wycombe – it has such a great community spirit and will.

“It's the second year of this particular show and we've also got a charity show to mark Remembrance Day – so I'm hoping these productions will become an annual fixture in the civic calendar, so that one day I can look back proudly and say I contributed to all this.”

The show is a one off performance on May, 2 at the Wycombe Swan, starting at 7pm Tickets cost £15 with concessions at £10 available from the Swan Box office.