X FACTOR's Joseph Whelan to Lead RENT at Birmingham's Old Rep Theatre in 2016

Rent which will star X Factor's Joseph Whelan as Roger, is coming to Birmingham this July. The show will premier at Birmingham's Old Rep Theatre for five exclusive performances before a proposed UK tour.

The musical will be produced in Birmingham following casting calls in London and Birmingham itself in February. The musical which ran for 12 years on Broadway will be directed by Michael Neri, a new director and producer who wants more professional theatre to be made in Birmingham.

"This city has many exceptional venues which play host to touring productions, Birmingham all ready proudly hosts companies like 'The Rep' and 'Birmingham Royal Ballet' but I feel there is room for more theatre to be produced within the city, we have everything we need here to make it happen and with HS2 round the corner, getting too and from London has never been easier. We are pleased to welcome Joseph Whelan into the part of Roger, he is an exceptional Rock singer who's voice will complement the show."

Joseph has just completed the 'War of the Worlds' UK tour so he's had a taste of live theatre. He has told us he is very excited to be apart of RENT and thinks it will be great. Further casting will be announced in the new year following auditions.

Rent won the Tony Award for Best Musical and was revived twice in London over the Christmas seasons of 2001 and 2002. The show captures the life of struggling artists and people living in the shadow of HIV and AIDS. The show plans to work with local AIDS charities and support groups to reflect the reality of living with HIV/AIDS within the show as well as pay tribute to those in Birmingham living the disease.

RENT is a classic show which 'hardcore' musical theatre fans know and love. Producer Michael Neri wants to communicate the show to a new audience, "Musical theatre audiences have evolved, its no longer exclusive, recently more and more people from many different backgrounds have attended the theatre and with more UK tours happening it is now more accessible to theatre goers, no longer do you have to travel to the capital to see a quality performance. With this new audience in mind, RENT will be portrayed in a way that appeals to new theatre goers, making the story relatable and easy to understand, all while still being true to the text and message within the music."

Tickets are available at www.rentthemusical.co.uk.