'It’s a celebration of life': Milburn frontman Joe Carnall Jnr on debut musical going on Yorkshire tour

“It’s a musical, which is a big departure for me,” Joe says. “It’s sort of a love letter to my grandparents, well grandparents in general. It’s a story about a man, who you realise early on has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.”

Blending heartfelt storytelling, sharp northern humour and original songs, his intimate show explores memory, family and connection through live music. The story revolves around Billy, a young man beginning to navigate his way through the world, all while his Alzheimer’s afflicted grandfather Jack rapidly fades away.

“It’s a story about life, big themes, a big-themed musical… but there are no jazz hands,” Joe says.

The narrative jumps between both past and present, with different decades revisited through the medium of the living room piano, a central element for what is ultimately a rich musical journey, across multiple genres of folk, indie and soaring ballads.

And the story is one that is close to Joe’s heart. “It was inspired by my own grandad who passed around 12 years ago now. I’ve seen it all, I’ve been there, I witnessed it.”

The impact of loss and mourning is often forged into creative inspiration, something he says “planted the seed” for the show after his grandad died when Joe was in his early teens.

A few years later, he watched a documentary about country singer Glen Campbell, famed for ‘Wichita Lineman’ and ‘Rhinestone Cowboy’ who was sadly diagnosed with dementia, and the seed began to grow.

“I think we have a responsibility to do it justice,” Joe says as he emphasises the importance of telling a story against the backdrop of subject matter that can impact so many.

“You are dealing with so many people’s lives. There are people who will be there that have or are dealing with this. You’ve got to do it - not necessarily kindly or gently - but accurately.

“It’s important for me to stress that this show is not ‘come and have a cry’. It’s cathartic in a way. It’s about moving forward, about what people leave behind. It’s about legacy, and it’s a celebration of life.

“I wouldn’t want people to be put off, it’s a good night at the theatre with big-hearted themes within it.”

Joe’s debut musical will begin its Yorkshire tour at The Playhouse at The Crucible, Sheffield, on October 9 and 10.

Performances will follow at Hull Truck, Leeds Carriageworks and Barnsley Civic.

For information on performance dates and ticket availability, visit www.hcifmusical.co.uk