Good things come to those who wait – but for fans of Stephen Schwartz’s time-honoured musical Godspell, the wait for its West End return lasted more than four decades.

Thanks to acclaimed musical director Russell Scott, the touching tale of friendship, love and loyalty made its triumphant return to London’s Lyric Theatre in 2014 as Godspell in Concert, with a reworked orchestration by Russell and will tour the UK this year.

The rehearsals hit difficulty when former Sugababe and leading lady Jade Ewan suddenly pulled out of the tour at the last minute due to health problems.

“Sadly Jade had some medical issues which were causing some problems for her in rehearsal and ultimately ended in her having to step down, which is very sad and very disappointing,“ says Borehamwood resident Russell, who also produces the show alongside Mark Pettitt.

Thankfully Laura Mansell, who was already part of the 14-strong cast, was able to stand in to star alongside X Factor’s Andy Abraham and former contestants from The Voice Leanne Jarvis and Mitch Miller.

“The show must go on as they say. I’m sure she’ll be absolutely fine,“ reassures the 42-year-old, who promises the expertly performed show “is going to blow the roof off“ when it opens at the Hackney Empire.

Inspiration struck the dad-of-two during a business trip to New York when, by chance, he was offered tickets to Godspell on Broadway.

“I stumbled upon it, literally,“ he remembers. “I knew very little about it – it hadn’t been on in the West End in my lifetime. I went with my wife and we were absolutely blown away by it, and came back and said: ‘Gosh we’ve got to bring this back to London’.“

Due to the enormous success of its 2014 gala show, which was in aid of the Make A Wish Foundation, it was decided Godspell in Concert should tour the UK.

Russell flew to New York to meet with the musical’s Oscar and Grammy award-winning composer Stephen, who granted him the exclusive rights for a full British tour.

However, putting together the show has been no mean feat with a gruelling rehearsal schedule demanding eight hours of the day, every day.

So when I ask Russell, who juggles his remaining time between voice coaching and conducting three choirs, what he does in his spare time, he quite rightly laughs.

“I’m literally juggling, I’m carrying boxes around at the moment as well,“ jokes the musician whose virtuoso talent was spotted by a record producer when he was aged just eight.

He continues: “I spend time with my family, it means everything to me. I’ve got a three-year-old and a four-month-old, and a gorgeous wife. She actually auditioned for me for a production.

"Everything I do, pretty much outside of that, apart from spending time with my family, parents and everything else, is all about music.“

Growing up in Stanmore and Borehamwood, Russell would go to his grandmother’s house and play made-up tunes on her organ. He went on to make two albums, which sold more than 100,000 copies, and has never looked back.

“I just did it because I loved doing it. It was something I enjoyed doing as a child, some kids would go out and play football and I used to love music. I grew up and that’s what I’ve done, it’s been in my soul forever,“ says Russell who has worked with Elton John, Haley Westenra and Seal.

He also runs his own entertainment production company, Russell Scott Entertainment, which has to date raised around £30,000 for charity.

And Godspell in Concert is making history as the first touring production to cast choirs from all over the country to take part in the shows in their respective regions.

“It’s a huge project and we’re very excited,“ says Russell. “It really will lift people out of their seats, it’s great fun.“

Godspell in Concert, Main House, Hackney Empire, Mare Street, Hackney, April 4 to 5, 7.30pm, Sunday 2.30pm and 7pm. Details: 020 8985 2424, hackneyempire.co.uk