Your stories

:: July 2006

Andy Platt's musical No Horizon started life two years ago as a community project for the locals of Penistone, where Platt was living and working as a deputy head teacher.

Based on the life story of a scientist from Thurlston, the show was an instant hit with local audiences, "much to my amazement," said Platt. Positive feedback inspired the writer to give up his teaching career to pursue his dream of taking the show all the way to London's West End.

Now, with another successful production of the musical under his belt starring West End actor James Lomas, and boasting the support of David Blunkett and Sir Elton John, the writer and director is receiving enquiries from London producers, and interest from new investors keen to help.

The inspiration

The show tells the life story of Nicholas Saunderson, a scientist born in Thurlston, who rose to be a contemporary of Isaac Newton despite being blind and having no formal qualifications.

"Saunderson's story captured my imagination because he rose from such humble origins to achieve such brilliance. He was the archetypal Yorkshireman, he wasn't afraid to say what he thought, and socially, as a man from the sticks he would have been very different from any other academics at the time.

"He managed to win the post of Lucrasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University, the post that Stephen Hawking now holds, which was an absolutely extraordinary achievement for someone of his background.

"They actually had to get the Queen to award him an honorary degree before he could take up the place, as he had no education at all after leaving school."

Local star

The latest production of No Horizon took place at the Penistone Paramount theatre and starred local teenager James Lomas, who was one of the original stars of the West End version of Billy Elliot.

Sheffield's Billy Elliot, James Lomas

"No Horizon is completely different to what I've done before," said James. "It was a challenge playing the young Nicholas, because he was blind, but I loved it. It's nice to be involved in something closer to home, and it's a great show. I'm sure it'll be a success."

"We asked James because he's a local lad, but he's also a big West End name," said Platt. "We put the play on up north and invited all the big London theatre producers to come up here to see it - this was a big ask, but it worked, partly because of James' role and the professional standard we achieved as a company."

The next step, says Platt, could involve a partnership with the major local theatres. "At that stage we'd be looking to transfer it to the West End. I'd love to attract a big-name actor for the role of the older Nicholas," he added.

"It'll take time and money to get there, and I know there's a lot more to do, but we've got the bit between our teeth now. I'm very determined.

"When I left my job at the school, I was given a bottle of champagne and told not to open it until the show's first night on the West End. It's still sitting on top of the fridge - but I'm hoping it won't be too long now until I get to drink it."