Moby Dick! The Musical, originally produced in the West End in 1992 by Cameron Mackintosh for a short run at the Piccadilly Theatre, has announced casting for its first return to London since then.

The musical strays a long way from Herman Melville’s dour tale of ship captain Ahab’s quest to kill a rare white whale. It's set in a girls’ boarding school where naughty antics abound as the sexy students put on the title show in the school's swimming pool.

Two former flnalists of the U.K. edition of The X-Factor will headline: 2015 finalist Anton Stephans and series two finalist Brenda Edwards. Both have also had extensive West End credits.

The revival will begin performances October 12, prior to an official opening October 18, at the New Union Theatre for a run through November 12, in a new production directed and choreographed by Andrew Wright.

Also in the cast are Rachel Anne Rayham, Laura Mansell, Aimee Hodnett, Glen Facey, Sam Barrett, Rebekah Lowings, Pérola Congo and Grant McConvey.

In a press statement, Stephans commented, “I am delighted to be returning to my first love, musical theatre. Moby Dick! is a fantastic show and I can't wait to lead this incredible cast, directed by the wonderful Andrew Wright. A man playing a woman who is playing a man! This is going to be a whale of a tale.”

Wright adds, “I am thrilled that Anton and Brenda will be leading our 10-strong company of Moby Dick!. Each and every member of the cast is unique as well as supremely talented. I'm so excited to create the madcap world of Moby with them.”

To book tickets, visit uniontheatre.biz.