PERFORMERS with learning disabilities will take to the West End stage in a groundbreaking show.

Southend’s Music Man project will make its debut at the London Palladium, in June, with children and adults with learning disabilities the stars of the show.

Run by Southend Mencap, the project provides full-time music education, and the performance will feature youngsters from Kingsdown School, St Nicholas School, Glenwood School and the Westcliff Centre.

David Stanley, founder of the project, said: “It’s a really exciting time for us and will be the first-ever concert of its kind in a West End theatre.

“It’s going to be a huge production at the Palladium and will be amazing.

“Everybody is really excited to be part of it.”

More than 100 performers will take part and the show, called Music is Magic within which there will be a premiere of a specially- written new musical called From the Asylum to the Palladium, which tells the story of mental hospitals where people with learning disabilities were treated as patients.

The musical holds a personal connection for Mr Stanley.

He said: “My late grandfather was a charge nurse in one such institution.

“The journey from this dreadful past to the current care in the community and the relative opportunities available today is told by the performers themselves.

“It will be a moving and stark reminder of the continual struggle faced by people with learning disabilities over many years. This project is all about giving our performers an opportunity they would not normally have and to do this on a stage like the Palladium will be amazing for all involved.”

The original London Palladium Tiller Girls will reform for one night only and make a special appearance on stage.

The show will feature music from the Music Man Project Songbook specifically-written by Mr Stanley with additional music and lyrics by Jenny Hitchcock.

The playing, singing and signing will all be supported by the specially-formed Music Man Project Community Choir.

The performance is to take place on Sunday, June 21 at 6.30pm. Tickets from £10 are available at seetickets.com