Hereford Musical Theatre Company is gearing up for a hilarious, laugh-out-loud, outrageous, musical comedy that has been a smash hit since its 2001 debut, as it brings The Producers to The Courtyard stage next week.

Based on Mel Brooks’ much loved Academy Award-winning movie, the stage adapatation took Broadway and the West End by storm, winning a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards and 3 Olivier Awards.

Impoverished by a string of flops, New York producer Max Bialystock is desperate to get to the top of his profession again. He finds an unlikely ally in timid accountant Leo Bloom, who hypothesises that one could make far more money with a flop of a show than with a hit.

Together they concoct a plan to produce the worst show ever and run away with millions! But they soon learn that showbusiness can really kick you in the teeth.

Having found the worst script, the worst director, and the worst cast they can, they're excited to take the money and head to Rio when the show inevitably closes after just one performance. Too bad for Bialystock & Bloom that, against all odds, the show is a total hit!

With no shortage of showstopping musical numbers, like We Can Do It, I wanna be a Producer, Keep it Gay, When you’ve got it flaunt it, Haben Sie Gehört Das Deutsche Band? The Producers is definitely far from a flop!

HMTC producer, Richard Davies is back in the director’s chair following his award-winning work for Sister Act last year. “This is a total change of show for HMTC who are usually seen to stage more traditional musicals. But in an attempt to appeal to a different audience and show the breadth of talent here, this November it is all about being daring and risque with a fantastic new musical for Hereford. Our aim is to have the audiences in stitches!”

HMTC has happily welcomed talented new members recently, but they also have members returning to the stage. Shay Morris is re-treading the boards after seven years away, playing the timid, well meaning, conscientious and slightly awkward Leo Bloom.

“This is my first major production since playing Bill in Me and my Girl, seven years ago... and 14 years after I played Prince Chulalongkorn in The King and I. I’m a song and dance man, and I’m having great fun rehearsing for this role as a Broadway producer.”

New to the fold is choreographer Amy Virgo who has danced since she was a child: “It’s in my blood, I dance at any opportunity I get so it has been a joy to teach others and I can’t wait for the Hereford audiences to be inspired to get up and dance too!”

The Producers runs from Tuesday, November 6 to Saturday, November 10 at The Courtyard. To book, call the box office on 01432 340555 or visit courtyard.org.uk