BEHIND THE SCENES: In Rehearsal With The Cast Of SCOTT ALAN: JUST ME...AND THEM

As I cross Chinatown, a black cab pulls up just in front of me. A familiar figure jumps out, and dashes down Leicester Place. She's greeted at the entrance to the Leicester Square Theatre by a group of girls, who, giggling, present her with pieces of merchandise to sign. She happily obliges before rushing inside, telling them, "There's a rehearsal now. And I'm late!"

That woman is Stephanie J Block, one of the musical theatre stars performing in Just Me...And Them, a celebration of Scott Alan's music. She's long been associated with Alan's work. "Somehow Scott and I found each other almost immediately when I came to New York," she says. "He played me several pieces of his music and I was drawn to Never-Never Land. It's never left me. If he does a concert, I hope to be there and sing it for him. If I do a concert, I'm always presenting his song, and if he can be there to play it, he will be there. And that's been seven years now."

Block has been rehearsing two songs for the concert - one her old standard, and one that has never been performed before. "Scott called and said he'd love me to do Never-Never Land, and he also has a brand-new piece that hasn't been heard or seen," she explains. "It sounds great, and my husband said I had to go - he's jealous he can't be here too! Watch Me Soar is the brand-new piece, and in pure Scott Alan fashion he gets into the body of the character - this woman who's trying to break from her past and say I'm not constricted by that any more, I've got to get out, live for myself, and do what I need to do."

"I didn't go out last night," confesses John Barr. "I had to be ready to sing today. I'm singing The Journey with Alison Jiear, which I've just recorded for my album. A lot of people have had to learn their songs - at least I knew mine already!"

Mark Evans, currently touring as Brad in The Rocky Horror Show, is one of the ones who had less rehearsal time for his song, Surrender. "I'm working with one of the show's producers at the moment, and a few people had to drop out. So because I'm around and I was on the original long-list, they asked me. It's a real honour."

Part of the reason so many stars have been signed up for the gig is because money raised will go towards the medical care of Lindsay Thomas, of Broadway's Hairspray cast, who has recently been diagnosed with stage-four lung cancer.

And of course, the quality of the songs doesn't hurt. "When I heard Again, I just thought, 'What beautiful lyrics, what a story,'" says Ramin Karimloo, who was revealed this week as the Phantom in Love Never Dies."It's a gift."

David Bedella has given up his day off to perform, after eight shows a week in heels as Frank N Furter in The Rocky Horror Show. He's singing How Did I End Up Here? as a special request. They rang me and said, 'Scott has specifically asked if you can sing this song,' and I said, 'I'm shocked that Scott even knows who I am,'" he says. "It's a beautiful, beautiful ballad, and it's an honour to be singing it."

As Patina Miller takes to the stage to sing her number, Alan, making his way through the auditorium, begins to whoop and cheer. "Yeah! Patina! Wooo!" he yells. The enthusiasm from everyone in the line-up is overwhelming, and with passion for music like this it's no surprise that both shows sold out days ago. Will there be more Alan concerts with equally stellar casts in London in the future? Watch this space.

The show was produced by Simon Greiff (for SimG Productions) in association with Scott Alan.

David Bedella's album, The Dean Street Sessions, is out now.

Annalene Beechey's album, Close Your Eyes, is out now.

John Barr's album, All I Am, is out soon.