P&O Cruises’ new ship to stage Take That musical

P&O Cruises is to stage a musical based around the songs of Take That on its new ship Arvia.

Greatest Days – The Official Take That Musical is an adaptation of successful West End musical The Band and features the songs of Take That with a story by Olivier Award-winning writer Tim Firth.

It follows five friends who reunite after 25 years and try to fulfil their dream of meeting the boy band whose music became the soundtrack to their lives back in the 1990s.

P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said: “We are delighted to have worked so closely with Take That to bring this fantastic story to the stage on board Arvia, exclusively for our guests.

“With an amazing cast, handpicked from our Headliners Theatre performers, guests can look forward to a night of world-class entertainment to create a truly unique and extraordinary theatre experience.”

The members of Take That added: “Almost 10 years ago, we had the idea of writing a musical with our songs. It was a big wish of ours to make a show with Take That’s music, but without us – not the story of our lives. Our wishes came true and five years ago we debuted The Band music to the world. Now we couldn’t be prouder to bring the story to P&O Cruises under its new name – Greatest Days.

“In Tim Firth we found an author who invented a completely different and wonderful story to which our music makes the perfect frame. A story with a lot of heart and friendship. A musical that shows how music brings friends together. The story works so wonderfully, you don’t even have to know our music.”

Arvia is due to enter service in December.