THE world premiere of a new musical can be seen in Lyme Regis on Saturday, June 29

St Michael's Church in Lyme Regis is to host Go, Goliath!, a semi-staged musical work by two local residents.

Musician Nicholas Brown wrote the music and Colyton resident Simon Ford wrote the words.

It tells the biblical story of plucky David and his giant adversary, Goliath.

The premiere will involve a massed choir of children and adults and professional soloists for the ‘come and sing’ event, rehearsing in the afternoon and performing the show at 5pm.

“It’s a dramatic cantata in a slightly jazzy mould,” says Nicholas. “I’ve written it for a unison chorus – aimed at children – as well as a four-part choir of adults, so singers of all ages can enjoy taking part. The story of David and Goliath is a familiar one, and the music is fun and accessible, so naturally we’d love to see all ages in the audience, too.”

Those taking part will include St Michael's Children’s Choir; the Devon Youth Choir with their conductor, Rachel Smith; members of church choirs from across the Golden Cap Team; and members of Lyme Bay Chorale and other adult choirs from the area.

David will be played by tenor Alex McNeice, who is a pupil at Colyton Grammar School, while baritone David Fouracre will be Goliath. Other solo parts will be sung by Matt Kingston (Jesse), Leslie Baker (Passer-by) and Nicholas Arrow (Saul). The narrator will be bass Daniel Rudge.

Alex Davies – musical director at St Michael’s – will play the organ, Alison Davies will play the saxophone, and Peter Lea-Cox will play the piano.

The event is being supported by the Aldhelm Mission Fund, which supports initiatives in parishes, schools and the wider community throughout the Salisbury Diocese. The fund is intended to encourage and provide resources for creative thinking and risk-taking, particularly through new projects and work that connects the church to the wider community.

Everyone is welcome at the 5pm performance, which is free of charge (there will be a retiring collection). It lasts about an hour, and afterwards there will be a fundraising hog-roast supper behind the church, in aid of the church’s tower appeal.

There may still be a few singing places available: please email Alex Davies (organalex@yahoo.com) if you would like to take part.

*Go, Goliath! St Michael's Church, Lyme Regis, Saturday, June 29, 5pm.