MUSICAL director Bev Jones has announced his retirement from the York stage but promptly made plans to continue his involvement in theatre.

First came his valedictory to a shocked sell-out audience and cast at the last night of his production of Les Miserables School Edition at Joseph Rowntree Theatre.

“Unfortunately, ill health has taken its toll and I feel I can no longer continue with my life in musical theatre,” said Bev, who turned 70 last month.

“I’ve had a wonderful life, with 499 shows to my name, and loved every single minute, but I cannot continue, so this, ladies and gentlemen, is my final performance – and what a way to go! I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your support over the years since I began as The Vagabond King back in 1962 at York Theatre Royal. Goodnight and God bless.”

A five-minute standing ovation followed, accompanied by tears aplenty, and in the emotion of the moment, Bev forget to announce that he intends to resurrect his long-dormant stage show Penny Millionaire as his retirement project.

Bev wrote this musical account of the rags-to-riches story of the painter Paul Gauguin 30 years ago, when its Rowntree Theatre world premiere was reviewed in the Yorkshire Evening Press under the headline of Britain’s Brightest New Musical.

“Afterwards, Bev and his script partner took it down to London to see if they could find a producer who would adopt the musical, but to no avail, until the script was rewritten,” says Bev’s wife and showbusiness partner, Lesley.

“Unfortunately, the gentleman involved refused to change his script and the idea was never progressed. Nevertheless, Bev’s music and songs were such a huge success that Dave Willetts, the international musical theatre star, asked not only if he could record some of them, but also if he could play the lead – the part that Bev played in York – should the musical ever be released.”

Now Bev and Lesley are to rewrite the script over the next 12 months. “We’ll possibly introduce some new songs, and then look to launch a new Penny Millionaire with its new world premiere in York,” she says. “The show will be a challenge for us both and gives Bev a focus in his retirement.”

More immediately, in the wake of Bev’s decision to retire, he has called off this month’s production of West Side Story at the Grand Opera House, where it was due to run from May 18 to 22.