The stage musical adaptation of Lara Williamson’s hit novel The Boy Who Sailed The Ocean In An Armchair will have its world premiere as part of NYMT’s 2023 season, it has been announced. In conclusion, “The Boy who Sailed the Ocean in an Armchair” at the Leicester Curve marks a significant milestone for its writer and composer Jordan Li-Smith. The cast’s outstanding performances, coupled with the enchanting music and choreography, create an engaging theatrical experience. While certain narrative and character development issues persist, the musical’s potential to evolve and mature is undeniable. As it continues its journey, the show could further harness its strengths and ability to deliver a poignant and emotionally resonant production that captures the hearts of audiences. I look forward to following this show, its journey and its performers. The real star of this musical is Jordan Li-Smith who has created a fantastic musical here which oodles of potential. There is gorgeous music, beautiful lyrics and some real witty elements to the book (helped partly from the original source material of Lara Williamson). Li-Smith‘s vision and ability cements himself as one to watch for future new musicals. I look forward to following his journey with either this musical or another (or both!). I'm not sure what grabbed my attention first when I saw this book, perhaps it was the enchanting title or perhaps the cover that promised me a heartwarming, endearing story or the synopsis that drew me in immediately. Or perhaps it was all three. All I know was that I was beyond excited for this book and my heightened expectations were met and even exceeded. The Boy Who Sailed the Ocean in an Armchair was part heartbreaking, part whimsical and fully and completely breathtaking. Ibiza Nana and Brian the Snail, performed by Alex Absalom-Sanchez and Bill Stanley respectively, provide a delightful comedic contrast to the emotional depth of the narrative. Alex Absalom-Sanchez infuses the character of Ibiza Nana with lively energy and humor, becoming a source of laughter for the audience. Likewise, Bill Stanley’s portrayal of Brian the Snail adds a touch of whimsy to the story, leaving the audience charmed and entertained by the character’s unique charm and personality.

The real star of this musical is Jordan Li-Smith who has created a fantastic musical here which oodles of potential. There is gorgeous music, beautiful lyrics and some real witty elements to the book. Li-Smith‘s vision and ability cements himself as one to watch for future new musicals." All Things TheatreNic Farman’s lighting design is beautiful, offering enchanting moments on the stage. Richard Cooper’s set and use of a giant armchair is versatile and offers great potential for this to develop as the show further evolves. Music direction and orchestrations from Lewis Bell, Ben Ferguson and Alex Faulkner help this musical sound fantastic and allow the band to shine. A brave boy with a big imagination sets out on an epic voyage of discovery, helped by a snail called Brian. --The Mirror The story is mainly told through music and song as opposed to spoken word, and the catchy and uplifting songs build the momentum and keep the audience laughing throughout. The musical score is superb and with direction from Musical director Lewis Bell, the lyrics tell the story in a really enchanting way.

I absolutely adore the way that Lara writes. In fact, her comical voice is so unique, from now on I shall refer to her turns of phrase as Laraisms! 'Sweet Baby Cheeses' has already become an addition to my conversations. And let's not forget Williamson's hilarious choice of business names - Crops and Bobbers, the hairdressers, Burger She Wrote, the burger bar and The Codfather, Dad's fish delivery service. Where does she get her ideas from? Pearl, portrayed with profound nuance by Lily Copland-Jones, brings a layered complexity to her role. Copland-Jones’ characterisation highlights Pearl’s emotional struggles and growth, adding depth to the character’s interactions and relationships with the rest of the cast. Her exceptional voice further contributes to the emotional resonance of her character’s arc. Credit: Robert Day In a world premiere brought to life by the National Youth Musical Theatre at the Leicester Curve, “The Boy who Sailed the Ocean in an Armchair” emerges as a heartfelt and ambitious musical adaptation of Lara Williamson’s beloved novel. Written and composed by talented newcomer Jordan Li-Smith, the production showcases potential to become a heartwarming gem with a gifted cast of triple-threat performers, enchanting musical motifs, thoughtful choreography, and stunning vocal harmonies. While the musical’s strengths are undeniable, it still navigates some narrative and character development hurdles that, with time, could be honed to elevate the emotional depth of the story.Olivia Spillane possesses an outstanding voice as Cat, delivering with both power and emotion. Her exceptional vocal ability captures the essence of a rising star. This promise of future greatness is a testament to Olivia Spillane’s skill and irrefutable presence on stage. Lara Williamson says, “As a huge fan of musical theatre, it is a dream come true to see my novel adapted for the stage by Jordan Li-Smith. Jordan has not only delivered the humour, heartbreak and hope in abundance but he has brought the characters to life in the most exciting, thought- provoking and creative way. It really is a privilege to be part of something so special and I cannot wait for audiences to climb aboard the armchair and experience this moving musical journey.”

This is a story full of humour, heartbreak and hope and was inspired by the journey of saying lots of different goodbyes in my life. Some have been happy goodbyes with lots of laughs and 'moving forward to new horizons' goodbyes and some have been sad goodbyes that bring rivers of tears and use up boxes of tissues. It's impossible to go through life escaping saying goodbye at some point and the book is based around this. Billy has a pet snail called Brian. Brian gets up to mischief, but Billy doesn't. I know you think that it is Billy getting up to mischief, and that Brian cannot even talk, but Brian told Billy you would say that. The only real fault I found in this was that the story told from the armchair felt a little out of place, like our narrator had some foreknowledge of what was to come in his life, something about it just didn’t sit quite right with me. It also wasn’t quite as prominent as I’d expect from the title, but it was still a beautiful story within the story and I did like how it related on different levels. The Boy Who Sailed The Ocean In An Armchair will be staged from 14th – 19th August 2023, with venue and more details to be announced at a later date.The musical marks Jordan Li-Smith’s debut as a writer and composer. Based on the novel by Lara Williamson.