Photo Flash: First Look at European Premiere of YANK! at Hope Mill Theatre

The long-awaited European Premiere of war-time love story Yank! is now open and running preview performances in Manchester ahead of its official opening on Wednesday evening, already standing ovations have taken place at each of the five preview performances. The musical will run until Saturday 8 April at Hope Mill Theatre. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Yank! Is the latest collaboration between leading London-based theatre Production Company Aria Entertainment and the award-winning Hope Mill Theatre, the first images of the beautifully designed production by Victoria Hinton have also been released.

The musical tells a gay love story set in the midst of World War Two. Based on the real history and events of WW2, it focuses on the life of Stu, a scared Mid-Western youngster who is called up to serve in the forces in 1943. He becomes a photographer for Yank Magazine, the journal 'for and by the servicemen'. The musical explores what it means to be a man, and what it is to fall in love and struggle.

Based on the Off-Broadway production from 2010, this new version of Yank! is being performed for the first time ever in Manchester and in Europe. The book and lyrics were penned by American writer David Zellnik, with his brother Joseph Zellnik's musical score paying homage to the timeless music of the 1940s. The brothers have been in Manchester for the preview performances and will stay until official opening night on Wednesday.

Aria Entertainment, a theatrical Production Company headed up by Manchester-born producer and company director Katy Lipson, lead the creative team behind Yank! The musical will be directed by James Baker, and co-produced with Ben Millerman from Mr Millerman Presents and Hope Mill Theatre.

Completing the creative team are James Cleeve as musical director; choreographer Chris Cuming; designer Victoria Hinton; lighting designer Aaron J. Dootson; sound designer Chris Bogg; and casting director Ben Newsome.

Leading the cast are Scott Hunter (A Chorus Line, A Midsummer Night's Dream) as Stu and Barnaby Hughes (Grand Central, Damn Yankees) as Mitch. They are joined by Chris Kiely as Artie (Sunset Boulevard, Chess); Spencer Cartwright as Sarge/Scarlett (Billy Elliot The Musical, Lady Macbeth Of Mtsensk); Benjamin Cupit as Professor (Beauty And The Beast, Eugeneus); Tom Pepper as Cohen/Speedy (Drifters, Crazy For You); and Lee Dillon-Stuart as Tennessee (Rent, Les Miserables).

Completing the line-up are Tom Lloyd as Rotelli (Parade, Dirty Dancing); Kris Marc-Joseph as Czechowski (Sister Act, Children Of Eden); Mark Paterson as Lieutenant/NCO (The Wedding Singer, Jerry Springer - The Opera); Luke Bayer as India (Twelfth Night, The 12 Tenors); and Sarah-Louise Young as Louise (Casualty, Doctors).

The show's official charity will be in support of The Albert Kennedy Trust, which supports young LGBT 16-25 year olds who are made homeless or living in a hostile environment.