A BRAND new show receives its world premiere in Manchester tonight.

Monkee Business the Musical, is a spoof romp based around the antics of a boy band asked to fill in for the Monkees.

The four leads in the show — Tom Parsons: Mark, posing as Mike Nesmith; Ben Evans: Chuck, posing as Davy Jones; Oliver Savile: William, posing as Peter Tork and Stephen Kirwan: Andy, posing as Micky Dolenz - answer a few questions.

YOU’RE ALL TOO YOUNG TO REMEMBER THE MONKEES, SO WHAT SORT OF RESEARCH HAVE YOU DONE?

BEN: “We’ve been catching up with The Monkees on You Tube. We’re all really excited about this great opportunity to create new characters on stage for the first time and about appearing in a brand new show. It’s something that rarely happens in theatre these days.”

STEPHEN: “I’m lucky because my mum’s a huge fan of The Monkees so she’s been filling me in on their history. I didn’t know, for example, that they were one of the first manufactured pop groups, put together for their Emmy award-winning television series.

“What’s also interesting is that most of the early songs were written for them by the likes of Neil Diamond. So it’s a really good mix of hit songs like I’m A Believer, Last Train To Clarksville and Daydream Believer.”

TOM: “I think what’s particularly interesting about this show is that, as well as The Monkees’ hits, there are also other songs from that era like Millie’s My Boy Lollipop and Dusty Springfield’s You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me, so hopefully there’ll be something for everyone in this fun family show.”

OLIVER: “Like Stephen, I’ve also got a Monkees’ fan in the family. My dad’s even more excited than I am about this brand new musical as he’s a great fan so that’s why this is such a great deal for him. The whole family will no doubt be there on the first night.”

WHAT’S THE MUSICAL ABOUT?

TOM: “It’s set in the Sixties and we play rather naive members of a group. We’re conned by an unscrupulous promoter into believing that, because of the pressure of work, The Monkees can’t do a world tour, but they’re happy for us to stand in for them.

BEN: “It’s a bit like an Austin Powers’ zany adventure. It’s kind of Carry On James Bond. We go on a helter-skelter ride around the world using all kinds of transport with all sorts of madcap adventures happening, as well as a bit of romance so hopefully if we’re enjoying ourselves on stage the audience will enjoy it too.”

WHY SHOULD AUDIENCES SEE MONKEE BUSINESS THE MUSICAL?

BEN: “This show is that rare thing these days — good all-round, escapist entertainment for the whole family.”

The Manchester run of Monkee Business The Musical will be dedicated to Davy Jones, who died in February.

The show opens at Manchester Opera House tonight and runs until Saturday, April 14. For details, contact the box office on a 0844 871 3018.