Rock ‘n’ roll trip back in time to dawn of the teenager in Griffins’ classic musical

Against a backdrop of fear, intense religious belief and the onslaught of rock ‘n’ roll, a mysterious stranger arrives in town and is discovered by a group of children who mistakenly believe him to be Jesus Christ.

In the Griffin Players’ dazzling new production of the classic Whistle Down The Wind, Bethany McLeish plays Swallow, a 15-year-old who vows to protect the stranger hiding out in the barn.

Unfortunately, the towns -people are determined to catch the fugitive.

Set in the place and time where the word teenager was invented, fantasy and reality collide for Swallow and she begins to discover who she is.

Based on the novel by Mary Hayley Bell, the music from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s theatre production of the story has been released for amateur drama groups to perform, so a new generation can enjoy the magical tale.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s score beautifully combines haunting melodies with rock ‘n’ roll riffs and explores the relationships of a community torn apart by the stranger’s arrival. Even those unfamiliar with the original 1961 film will recognise some of the musical numbers, such as No Matter What which was later covered by Boyzone, A Kiss Is A Terrible Thing To Waste covered by Meatloaf and Bonnie Tyler’s Tyre Tracks and Broken Hearts.

The famous director of the original film, Bryan Forbes, died last month and the Griffin Players’ version of the famous story is set to be a fitting tribute.

Also starring Paul Ramsey as ‘The Man’, with plenty of surprises in store, director Julia Fraser and musical director Charlotte Tabert guarantee audiences won’t be disappointed.

At Luton Library Theatre.