Gary Barlow: 'Corden Got Me FINDING NEVERLAND Job'

Gary Barlow revealed that he got the job writing the score for the new Broadway musical Finding Neverland after James Corden recommended him to Harvey Weinstein. Barlow told a launch event in London on Thursday night that the movie mogul was planning to ask Andrew Lloyd Webber to write the score, until Corden's intervention whilst he was working on a movie for Weinstein.

The Take That singer-songwriter was at the event with Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston - who said that he had seen the show in Boston and loved it - and had to get involved saying that he was "enchanted" by the show's music. Barlow was brought on board to write a new score for the show in 2013 and said that he'd tried to bring his own angle to writing music for theatre rather than imitating anyone. He added that although he had approached composing the score like putting together an album, there were some important differences - and that over the course of composing the songs for the show he had to learn the art of continuing the storyline during a song.

With just over two weeks to go before the show's first preview on Broadway, Barlow said that a concept album featuring songs from the show was nearly ready for release. He said that artists including Rita Ora, Christina Aguilera, John Legend, Jon Bon Jovi and Paloma Faith had been given complete artistic freedom with the songs they were performing - citing the example of Rita Ora - who he said had turned a song performed in the show as an Irish jig into a hip hop track.

Barlow also performed two songs - Neverland and Feet Don't Touch The Ground - and said that he "can't believe he's involved with the show." He added that he really feels like he's part of a team - and has been helping with coaching the cast - which includes Glee's Matthew Morrison, Kelsey Grammer and Laura Michelle Kelly who won an Olivier Award for Mary Poppins. Although there were no details of other destinations for the show beyond the Lunt-Fontanne, Barlow said that he hopes to be involved other productions to come.

FINDING NEVERLAND starts previews in New York on March 15, with opening night on April 15.