THERE really is something magical about musicals.

It isn’t just the delights of Mary Poppins that makes the medicine go down.The timeless toe-tapping tunes and show-stopping classics of musicals have been entertaining audiences for years.

Three masters behind much-loved musicals are coming to town this week to talk about the razzmatazz of musicals.

This Saturday, June 18, at Bridport Electric Palace, Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes will be lifting the lid on what goes into making a hit musical with award-winning musical theatre writers George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.

Together, they are celebrating the current UK tour of Mary Poppins and the 2016 premières of the new musicals Half a Sixpence and Wind in the Willows. West End actress Caroline Sheen will be singing songs from all three shows.

Lord Fellowes, who lives at West Stafford, near Dorchester, wrote the script for the hit show Mary Poppins. Stiles and Drewe’s songs complement the original music and lyrics.

Lord Fellowes said: “There’s really something magical about musicals. It’s a very different discipline writing a musical because you are working with composers, lyricists and the writers.

“In the beginning they are writing songs and we have a general idea of where the songs will go. The songs want to advance the drama behind the story.

“I like writing musicals but three of four I have written have been with George and Anthony who I really enjoy working with.”

Lord Fellowes received an Academy Award for his writing for Gosford Park and his creation, Downton Abbey, went on to be one of the most successful dramas of all time.

But it is one of his earlier works that he wrote the screenplay for and made his directorial debut that is his favourite work.

Lord Fellowes said: “My own favourite is Separate Lies.

“It’s all to do with how closely you manage to realise your dream. The film was exactly as I imagined it when I was writing it.”

Lord Fellowes said: “We will talk about how a musical show comes to be and the chills and spills and drama. It will be an entertaining evening for three good causes.”

All proceeds from the evening are being split between Weldmar Hospicecare, Polio Plus and Mercury Musical Developments.

Lord Fellowes, who is vice president for Weldmar, said: “The Weldmar Hospice is terrific and and I believe in the work of the whole hospice movement.

“I’m a big fan of the Electric Palace in Bridport. I was a patron of it and the new owners value the historic legacy of it and it’s marvellous.”

n The Musical Makers, at Bridport Electric Palace on Saturday June 18. Tickets cost £18 and are available from the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust on 01305 261800 or at weld-hospice.org.uk/musical