David originally played the part of The Artillery Man in Jeff Wayne's musical version of HG Wells' The War Of The Worlds with Richard Burton. In 2016 David played the part “The Voice of Humanity' at the Dominion Theatre along side his dear friend Jeff Wayne. Since its inception in 1978, Jeff Wayne"s original double album has become one of the most groundbreaking and best-selling musical works of all time – with over 15 million copies sold and 330 weeks in the UK Album Charts to date, a number one album in 11 countries, two international hit singles, a number-one music DVD, 8 years of worldwide arena tours, and huge critical acclaim across the globe (and probably the universe!).

Reimagined and brought to spectacular theatrical life for its world stage premiere, this breathtaking new production of Jeff Wayne"s Musical Version of The War of The Worlds,

Set against the backdrop of a travelling funfair and packed with dazzling stunt sequences, hilarious crafty cons and plenty of Rock"n"Roll, All the Fun of the Fair was a brand new, action-packed musical. Inspired by David Essex"s debut album, this roller-coaster ride is underscored by a helter-skelter of hits such as Winter"s Tale, Hold Me Close, Gonna Make You a Star, Me and My Girl Nightclubbing, Silver Dream Machine and Rock On.

A modern musical love story with a heartbreaking twist. David starred in the musical "All The Fun of the Fair" both on tour (2008,2009,2011) and in the West End at The Garrick Theatre, 2010

David Says - “All The Fun Of The Fair"#pulled together the remarkable talents of writer Jon Conway and director Nikolai Foster, the creative team behind the musical. The three of us wanted to develop a substantial story that would encompass my words and music using the back drop of a travelling funfair. Thankfully the show and it"s wonderful casts enjoyed great success both touring the UK and in London"s West End."

David is looking forward to fighting the martians as 'The Voice of Humanity' at the Dominion Theatre along side his dear friend Jeff Wayne. David originally played the part of The Artillery Man in Jeff Wayne's musical version of HG Wells' The War Of The Worlds with Richard Burton.

David Says: I saw ‘Footloose’ in the West End before I agreed to join it and was taken aback by a terrific young cast and a really fun show. It seemed to me to play the part of the grumpy vicar was too good a chance to miss.

David wrote the ballet score for a version of “Beauty and the Beast” for the Russian All Stars Company, an international ice skating ensemble, which was staged in 1995/1996. The premiere of the ice-skating ballet “Beauty & The Beast” took place at the Royal Albert Hall 5th December 1995- a gala charity performance in aid of Elton John’s Aids Foundation  

David Says: "It was a privilege to work on the music and production with The Russian All Stars and their spectacular version of “Beauty And The Beast”."

In 1985, David co-wrote and starred as Fletcher Christian in the West End musical Mutiny!, based on the novel Mutiny on the Bounty by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall. The score produced two more hit singles, including “Tahiti,” his tenth Top 10 success.

David Says: "Having appeared in successful musicals and written hit songs, it seemed a logical step to actually write a musical. Looking round for subject matter, my manager Derek suggested the mutiny that happened on HMS Bounty. The show was a great adventure with the wonderful Frank Finlay as Captain Bligh, me as Fletcher Christian plus an enormous boat which traversed and caroused on hydraulics almost killing the cast every night! But we survived and “Mutiny” ran for a year and a half at the Piccadilly Theatre."

David starred in the the role of Che Guevara in the 1978 West End production of Evita, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's musical about Argentine political leader Eva Perón. Approached by Sir Tim Rice to meet with legendary Broadway Director Hal Prince, Essex embraced the opportunity to portray the iconic revolutionary figure who had been such a powerful symbol for his generation in the 1960s. As the original Che in this groundbreaking British theatre production, Essex helped bring to life the rock opera that had begun as a concept album in 1976. His performance as the narrator and conscience of the story contributed to what he describes as "a landmark in British theatre," establishing Evita as one of the most successful musicals of its era before it went on to conquer Broadway and spawn the acclaimed 1996 film starring Madonna and Antonio Banderas.

David Says: "Che Guevara for me and my generation in the 60’s was an iconic image. So when I was approached by Sir Tim Rice to meet with legendary Broadway Director Hal Prince with a view to play Che in a new musical called “Evita,” I, of course agreed . Evita was wonderful to do, a landmark in British theatre and good to be the original Che"