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Barlow joins musical drama

11/01/2008

Gary Barlow is to write music for a new television drama about the lives of students at a performing arts school, it has been announced.

The Take That singer, who is famed for his writing skills, will work with other song writers to compose the set-piece musical numbers.

Britannia High will see a group of talented young people singing, dancing and acting in the fictional arts school.

The eight-part series concludes with a live 90-minute episode taking the form of an end-of-term students' showcase, featuring performances from the cast.

Complementing the fictional drama are two 60-minute documentaries, the first of which shows how theatre producer David Ian, Britannia High's director of choreography Arlene Phillips and series producer Brian Grant chose the actors and actresses who are part of the show.

The second one shows behind-the-scenes footage of the actors rehearsing and the song writers at work.

Co-executive producer Kieran Roberts said the show "will be a brilliant, high quality British drama".

Fellow producer Mark Wells added: "This programme is a true hybrid of music, entertainment and drama.

"We're delighted to have on board the exceptional talents of Gary Barlow, Arlene Phillips and David Ian, whose meticulously high standards will ensure the musical elements are spectacular."