There’s Abba’s Mamma Mia, Queen’s We Will Rock You and Frankie Valli’s The Jersey Boys – musicals based on bands is big business.

But All the Fun of the Fair trumps all of the above by featuring the star of the show, legendary singer and comedian David Essex himself.

Writer and Director of the show Jon Conway first pitched the idea to David in the 70’s and the show slowly took shape.

He says: "So, my first thought, especially given David’s association and my background, was to create a show set on a fairground. "David gave me about 80 songs to listen to, including many album tracks as well as his known hits and I spent a week playing them all. "Unlike many ‘catalogue’ musicals, I realised that so many of his songs have a storyline and theatricality in their arrangement."

Weaving some of David’s more recognisable hits such as Winters Tale, Hold Me Close, and Gonna Make You A Star, into the story line, the show also looks to utilise lesser known album tracks to bring his music to a new audience.

Jon, who was also behind world famous production Boogie Nights, says: "There are some great album tracks like Pretty Thing, He Noticed Me, Here We Are All Together, If I Could and my personal favourite Dangerous.

"The story is quite contemporary and deals with subjects not always addressed in theatre, but so relevant to everyday life.

"It deals with oncoming middle age as seen by a divorcee and a widower, who wonder if romance will ever come their way again.

"Both have teenage children (and the problems they bring) to deal with.

"Whilst these themes occur in everyday life, our characters have to face them whilst running a travelling fair and the stigma that still exists in communities that see them as outsiders."

The show made its West End debut at The Garrick Theatre in 2010 before going on the road for a 24 date tour last year.

All The Fun of the Fair, March 13 to 17 nightly from 7.45 with matinee on Thursday and Saturday from 2.30pm. Tickets cost £22.50 to £31.50 call 0208 688 9291