New Dusty Springfield Musical

A new musical based on the life of the late Dusty Springfield (she died of breast cancer in 1999 aged 59) is in the planning stages to open in the West End next year.

Sandi Toksvig has been contracted to write the script by producers Vicki Wickham (friend and former manager of Dusty) and David Ian (The Bodyguard).

Ms Wickham said that there have been numerous, really bad shows and scripts about Dusty. I keep going to these and coming out going: Yes, the music’s great - but it has nothing to do with Dusty! Wickham stressed it would be a proper musical and not a jukebox show, showing the light and dark side of her personality: But I promise you, you’ll come out happy and singing. Dusty was extraordinary. Yes, she could drive you mad - all divas do. But there’s such a lovely side to her that should, and will, be told.

It will tell will be the story of Dusty’s life from when she was known as Mary O’Brien, her time with the Springfields, through to her success as a solo artist with classic songs including  Son Of A Preacher Man, I Only Want To Be With You, Wishin’ And Hopin’, and Yesterday When I Was Young. It will only feature numbers associated with Dusty.

The show is yet to be given a name and is without a director. Producers are  hoping for a reading in the autumn.