Nick Richings News

Following the first performance of Kay Mellor's Fat Friends the Musical this week, the first production images have been released.

Former England cricket captain, and star of SKY's League of Their Own, Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff will swap the cricket pitch to tread the boards as he joins an all star cast for the world premiere of Kay Mellor's Fat Friends - the Musical.

Get a first glimpse at the world premiere of Fat Friends the Musical with new rehearsal images - check them out below! Starring Freddie Flintoff, Sam Bailey, Jodie Prenger, Natasha Hamilton, Natalie Anderson and Kevin Kennedy, Fat Friends the Musical has now started rehearsals in Leeds, home of the original TV series, with two weeks until the first performance.

Joining the previously announced cast, Kevin Kennedy (Coronation Street) stars as Fergus and Rachael Wooding (We Will Rock You) appears as Joanne, alongside Jonathan Halliwell (Let It Shine) as Paul and Chloe Hart (Hairspray) as Val. Alan will be played by Neil Hurst, one of dozens of Yorkshiremen who applied for the role through an open audition call.

The first image of the the Musical family has today been released, as full casting for Kay Mellor's new musical is unveiled. 

Emmerdale and The Royal star Natalie Anderson will join the cast of Fat Friends - The Musical. Natalie has appeared in numerous other television programmes including Wire in the Blood and The Biz.

Sam Bailey (X Factor, Chicago) and Jodie Prenger (I'd Do Anything, Shirley Valentine) star alongside Former England cricket captain, and star of Sky's League of Their Own, Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff in Fat Friends - The Musical at the Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield from Mon 12 - Sat 17 February. Tickets go on sale to members on Sat 8 July and on general sale on Sat 15 July.

Former England cricket captain, and star of SKY's League of Their Own, Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff will swap the cricket pitch to tread the boards as he joins an all star cast for the world premiere of Kay Mellor's Fat Friends - the Musical.

Number one recording artist Sam Bailey, who rose to fame winning the tenth series of The X Factor, will join the previously announced Jodie Prenger in the original British musical Fat Friends - The Musical. Sam will share the much loved role of Betty, originated on screen by Alison Steadman, with award-winning comedian and actress Elaine C Smith (Two Doors Down, Rab C Nesbitt). Elaine will step into the role during three Scottish dates in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. 

Billed as a new musical adaptation of Lewis Carroll's beloved books, Wonderland sees Alice as a deflated and disappointed 40 year old, living in a grimy tower block with her teenage daughter Ellie. Upon the unexplained appearance of a white rabbit, they descend, via the tower block lift, into Wonderland with their neighbour Jack

WONDERLAND is delighting audiences throughout the UK. It's an enchanting musical adaptation of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, with a huge heart, a medley of magic and a whole lot of wonder. It is a timely and touching story of love and an adventurous exploration of who we are, who we want to be and the power of everyday magic in our lives. With critics describing it as 'a totally bonkers, technicolour escape from the real world', Wonderland is not to be missed, showing at the Manchester Palace Theatre from 24th-30th April.

TV and West End star Wendi Peters, much loved for her acclaimed portrayal of Cilla Battersby-Brown in Coronation Street, will headline the upcoming 2017 UK tour of Wonderland as Queen of Hearts alongside musical theatre favourite Dave Willetts, who has previously starred in tours of South Pacific, 42nd Street and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, as White Rabbit.

Bill Kenwright's production of international smash-hit musical Blood Brothers visits the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield, from Monday 23 January to Saturday 4 February, as part of its 30th Anniversary Tour, with Lyn Paul in the iconic role of Mrs Johnstone.

English Touring Theatre's Artistic Director Richard Twyman today announces full casting for the tours of Jessica Swale's Olivier Award-winning Nell Gwynn and the world premiere of Sandi Toksvig's Silver Lining. 

It has been announced that Rachael Wooding will guest star as Alice in the 2017 UK tour of WONDERLAND in Wolverhampton from Monday 31 July - Saturday 5 August.

English Touring Theatre today announces its spring season which features the world premiere of Silver Lining, a new comedy written by Sandi Toksvig, and a tour of the critically acclaimed Olivier Award winning Shakespeare's Globe production of Nell Gwynn, starring Laura Pitt-Pulford in the title role.  It is the final season under the stewardship of Director Rachel Tackley who is leaving the company to become Executive Director of Chichester Festival Theatre.  Richard Tywman takes over, having been Associate Director (International) of the Royal Court Theatre since 2013.

Taking its inspiration from the classic movie, this innovative reimagining will feature an expanded book, new music and original staging, and will tour the UK this autumn, opening at the New Wimbledon Theatre tonight 1 September.

West End musical theatre star Jacqui Dubois (original London cast of Rent and Children of Eden, other credits include The Lion King, Fela and most recentlyPeople, Places and Things ) will join Sarah and Andy as 'Oda Mae Brown', the part made famous in the film by Whoopi Goldberg.

TV and West End star Wendi Peters, much loved for her acclaimed portrayal of Cilla Battersby-Brown in Coronation Street, will headline the upcoming 2017 UK tour of Wonderland as Queen of Hearts alongside musical theatre favourite Dave Willetts, who has previously starred in tours of South Pacific, 42nd Street and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, as White Rabbit.

Wonderland is an enchanting musical adaptation of Lewis Carroll's Alices Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, with a huge heart, a medley of magic and a whole lot of wonder.