Darren Day, Jessica Martin, Michael Xavier

Bumblescratch is a new sung-through musical comedy, written by Robert J. Sherman. It's set in London during the Great Plague of 1665 and the Great Fire of 1666 and told from the perspective of a demented, lascivious plague rat named Melbourne Bumblescratch, who demonstrates his unique and twisted love affair with the ancient city through telling his marvellously gruesome tales.

This major West End concert presentation - featuring a stellar line-up - is specially staged as part of commemorations for the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London, which raged in the East End for four days from 2 to 5 September 1666.

Bumblescratch has music, lyrics and book by Robert J. Sherman, continuing the enduring legacy of his father and uncle, Robert B. and Richard M. Sherman, a.k.a The Sherman Brothers, the songwriting duo behind childhood classics including Mary Poppins and The Jungle Book. It is directed by Stewart Nicholls, who also collaborated with Robbie Sherman on the critically acclaimed Love Birds and A Spoonful of Sherman.

The gala concert on 4 September starts at 6.30pm and is held in aid of Variety – The Children’s Charity.