IMAGINE you have more money than you could ever need, whatever you want you can have.

That’s the situation facing Ryan Heenan’s character Joe Spud in Billionaire Boy the Musical which opens tonight at the Lowry, Salford Quays.

Based on the story by David Walliams. Joe’s dad Len invents the ultimate toilet paper which makes him fabulously wealthy.

As the money goes to his head and Joe gets lavished in gifts, will their relationship survive?

“It’s definitely a show for families - it’s not just for children,” said Ryan. “At its core it’s a story about a father and son relationship. It’s about how a single parent tries to give his son everything and gets it so wrong at the beginning and then goes on a journey to learn that all they really want is time together rather than the material stuff like a rollercoaster in the garden “

Billionaire Boy is a brand new production having made its debut in Southampton over Christmas.

“As an actors it’s the absolute dream to be part of creating a show from the start,” said Ryan. “Songs change, the script is edited and it can all change until you finally take it to the stage.”

A full-blown musical, Billionaire Boy features songs written by Miranda Cooper and Nick Coler who have written hits for Girls Aloud, the Sugababes, Alesha Dixon and Kylie.

“You can hear their history and their music legacy in the score,” said Ryan. “Every song has got a really good catch. Every one of my family who came to see it in Southampton was saying weeks later ‘I still can’t get those songs out of my head’ which is a really good sign.”

As his new found wealth takes over his life, Joe finds that it can cause problem with those around him.

“When I was working on the role, I was remembering what it was like to be at school and not to really fit in. Being a theatre kid you sometimes can feel a bit of an outsider and that’s certainly Joe’s story,” he said. “It also shows that those friendships you do make at an early age remain strong. My best friend ow is someone I met when I was 11.”

Ryan said that David Walliams has been very supportive of the cast from the outset.

“He has been really trusting of our team,” said Ryan. “He came to see the show in Southampton and was really blown away by it. There are certain parts of our story which aren’t in his book but you do have all of his best characters in there.”

Bringing the show to The Lowry is something Ryan is particularly looking forward to.

“I was in Manchester for three weeks last year when we opened in Grease at the Palace Theatre,” he said.

“The energy we got back from the audiences there set us up for the whole tour.

“I can’t wait to go to the Lowry. There is something really special about Manchester and Salford audiences - they are really up for it and I can’t wait to share this story with them. I think southern audiences can be a bit reserved at times and a bit polite.

“Our show is nothing of the kind. It’s loud and it’s funny and full of energy and I can’t wait to share it with everyone.”

Billionaire Boy the Musical, the Lowry, Salford Quays, tonight until Sunday. Details from 0843 208 6005 or www.thelowry.com