GOODBYE BARCELONA, a  passionate new musical with book by Judith Johnson; and music and lyrics by KS Lewkowicz, is to have its world premiere in a five-week season at Arcola Theatre from Thursday 24 November to Friday 23 December 2011.

In 1936, as fascism sweeps across Europe, one country reaches out in its hour of need... and tens of thousands of ordinary people make an extraordinary decision to help. Mothers and fathers, sons and daughters... more than 42,000 travel to Spain from all over the world, and they risk their lives for the freedom of others.

Marking the 75th anniversary of the start of the Spanish Civil War, and inspired by first hand accounts, GOODBYE BARCELONA focuses on Sammy, a young man driven to leave his home in London and join the International Brigades to fight against the fascists.

Karen Rabinowitz is the director and choreographer of GOODBYE BARCELONA, which cast includes Lucy Bradshaw, Tom Gill, Katie Bernstein, John Killoran, Mark Meadows, Jack Shalloo and Laura Tebbutt.

Judith Johnson’s (Book) plays include ‘Uganda’ for the Royal National Studio/Royal Court, (winner of the Thames Best Play Award), and ‘Somewhere’ for the Royal National Theatre /Liverpool Playhouse (winner of a Liverpool Arts Award). TV work includes ‘First Sex’ (which was nominated for a children’s BAFTA). Her musical RELEASE THE BEAT, written with composer KS Lewkowicz, a musical adapted from ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, was directed by Mehmet Ergen for Arcola Theatre in 2004.

KS Lewkowicz (Music & Lyrics) also wrote music and lyrics for RELEASE THE BEAT; vocal and incidental music for a children’s adaptation of ‘Jabberwocky’ at Arcola Theatre in 2002; and a musical adaptation of Graham Greene’s ‘Brighton Rock’.

GOODBYE BARCELONA began as a commission from Arcola Theatre funded by Arts Council England, it was subsequently developed for Arcola´s Grimeborn Opera Festival.

GOODBYE BARCELONA is produced by Goodbar Productions in association with Arcola Theatre.