Norwich Theatre is launching a groundbreaking co-production with the Buxton International Festival and it is a musical not to be missed. 

The Land of Might-Have-Been is built around the songs of Ivor Novello and is loosely based on incidents in the early life of Buxton’s pioneering feminist and pacifist Vera Brittain.

It includes the Novello songs My Dearest Dear, Waltz of My Heart, My Life Belongs To You and Why Is There Ever Goodbye and the director is Kimberley Sykes.

The story follows Vera, her soon-to-be fiancé Roland, her brother Edward and their close friend Bobbie over a long hot summer in Buxton, Derbyshire, in 1914.

The war in Europe shatters all their hopes and dreams when Vera’s friends are killed in the battlefields and she embarks on a life-long campaign for peace and equality. 

Stephen Crocker, chief executive and creative director of Norwich Theatre, said: “This is a story of resilience, hope and the promise of youth - themes which are still hugely relevant today."

The musical comes to Buxton Opera House from July 7 to 21 and Norwich Theatre Royal from July 25 to 30 - buy tickets at norwichtheatre.org (priced from £10-£38.50).