ALL aboard. York Musical Theatre Company will launch the premiere of Armada, a new musical by principal company member Rob Winlow, at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, on Thursday night.

Rob’s idea for the show came from reading through his son’s school history project on the Armada.

“I’d already written some songs and score and was looking for an exciting and passionate story to base them around, and I found it in the historical story and untold story aboard the famous Spanish fleet,” he says.

“But as soon as I started, I realised the songs weren’t right and weren’t going to fit, but I was so hooked on the intrigue of the Armada that I continued to write a new score for the story.”

Over the next two years, Rob’s music for Armada evolved and a rehearsed reading and sing-through of the script and score was premiered in York last November.

After adjustments to the plot and developments of some of the leading characters, Armada is finished and ready to be performed in full at the Rowntree Theatre.

As the title suggests, the story is based around the Spanish Armada’s invasion in 1588 and follows the fate of a country girl, Sarah, who is brought to the attention of Queen Elizabeth I by her astrologer, Dr John Dee.

On finding herself involved in the conflict between England and Spain, the young heroine helps the English fleet with her supernatural talents, while finding herself caught in a flourishing romance.

“The story of the Spanish Armada and period are fascinating enough, so it’s been a case of what detail and history to leave out, rather than how to enlarge a simple idea into a full-length piece,” says Rob, whose musical combines intrigue with danger.

He describes Armada as being song-driven. “It relies very heavily on the musical content; in other words it’s not a story punctuated by music, but strong songs embroidered into the book that drive the story and characterisation along.” Rob joined YMTC in 2006 to play Ali Hakim in Oklahoma! and is thrilled to be working with his fellow company members on his new project – even appearing in the show himself as Dr John Dee.

Other leading roles go to Stephanie Bolsher as Sarah/Maid, Jessa Liversidge as Queen Elizabeth I, Russell Fallon as Sir Francis Drake and Gareth Smith as Thomas.

Armada will sail forth from Thursday to Saturday; tickets for the 7.30pm evening performances and 2.30pm Saturday matinee cost £10, concessions £8, on 01904 623568.