Late dad’s words inspired Harrogate singer’s London musical

Inspired by the words of his late father, a young Harrogate singer is about to see his first musical premiered in London.

Former St Aidan’s High School and St John Fisher Associated Sixth Form student Christian Lunn is busily preparing for the launch of Here’s To Life at The National Portrait Gallery in Trafalgar Square in a few weeks’ time.

The show was inspired by his father, John’s message to his family before he passed away in 2013.

Launched on Friday, June 12, the show was co-written by fellow graduate and friend Claire de Belloy after Christian remembered his father’s words: “Take one step at a time, and stay in the present, rather than crowding the mind with possible projections of the future, that may not happen. Do not worry. Do not worry.”

Christian said: “It was a hard time for me when my father passed away suddenly but I was determined to create something positive as a tribute to him.”

Well known locally for supporting charity events, choirs and theatrical groups, Christian first rose to local fame as a youngster with success in Harrogate Competitive Festival for Music Speech and Drama where so much local talent has first shown itself.

A member of the Knaresborough School of Speech and Drama from the age of four, Christian went on to graduate with first class honours at the Guildford School of Acting last autumn.

Charismatic and ambitious, his first-ever musical is being produced by a fledgling organisation co-founded by Lunn himself - New Theatre Company Seat 141.

The aim is to achieve at least a two-week week run in a London fringe theatre but, as with all these things, said Christian, financial considerations are crucial.

Christian said: “We are very much looking forward to the opening. We have quite a lot of theatres interested in taking it forward but we are trying desperately to raise money for the next stage.”

Follow Christian @Christianlunn1 and his show @H2LMusical