Photo Flash: Take That Joins the Cast of THE BAND in Manchester

Last night, Monday 11 September, Take That surprised audiences of their new musical THE BAND with a special performance, during the show's finale, at the Manchester Opera House. BroadwayWorld has photos of their appearance below!

The UK Tour of THE BAND is written by Tim Firth and features the music of Take That. The show began previews on Friday 8 September at Manchester Opera House and will open officially on 26 September. It will then embark on a major UK tour, currently booking until July 2018.

The cast of THE BAND is led by Rachel Lumberg as Rachel, Alison Fitzjohn as Claire, Emily Joyce as Heather, Jayne Mckenna as Zoe, with AJ Bentley, Nick Carsberg, Curtis T Johns, Yazdan Qafouri and Sario Solomon, collectively known as Five To Five, winners of BBC's Let It Shine, as The Band, and Faye Christall as Young Rachel, Katy Clayton as Young Heather, Rachelle Diedericks as Debbie, Sarah Kate Howarth as Young Claire, Lauren Jacobs as Young Zoe, Martin Miller as Jeff and Andy Williams as Dave.

THE BAND is a musical about what it's like to grow up with a boyband. For five 16 year-old friends in 1992, 'the band' is everything. 25 years on, we are reunited with the group of friends, now 40-something women, as they try once more to fulfil their dream of meeting their heroes.

THE BAND is directed by Kim Gavin and Jack Ryder, designed by Jon Bausor and choreographed by Kim Gavin. It is produced by David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers and Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Mark Owen, Robbie Williams.

Photo Credit: Matt Crockett