Kimberly Walsh
First off, following the happy news that Amanda Holden is expecting a baby and will therefore cut her run in Shrek the Musical short by a couple of months, it has been confirmed that Kimberly Walsh of Girls Aloud will be joining the cast to replace her. Walsh was previously due to come on board in Shrek the Musical as Princess Fiona to Nigel Lindsay’s Shrek from December, but will now enter the fray in early October.
The Bradford born popstress has been looking to further her acting career since the girl group put their work on hiatus earlier this year. She recently starred in the kids’ movie ‘Horrible Henry’ and has long been keen to tread the boards in the West End having starred as Cosette in her first professional role as a 12 year old.
With Matilda due to open in around 6 weeks we finally have some casting for the musical adaptation of the much loved Roald Dahl children’s novel.
There a four survivors from the show’s Stratford premier in Bertie Carvel as Miss Trunchbull, Paul Kaye and Josie Walker in the roles of Mr. & Mrs. Wormwood and Lauren Ward returning as Miss Honey.
Another group of actors reprising their roles are the stars of The Pitman Painters which returns to London playing at The Duchess Theatre from October 5th.
A number of the original cast from the shows opening at The Live Theatre in Newcastle will reunite including Ian Kelly as Robert Lyon, Michael Hodgson as Harry Wilson, David Whitaker as Jimmy Floyd and Brian Lonsdale as Young Lad/Ben Nicholson. In addition to the Geordie contingent Trevor Fox has been recruited from the Broadway run to play Oliver Kilbourn and Joe Caffrey will join as George Brown having previously appeared at The Victoria Palace in Billy Elliot as Billy’s father.
Finally it’s time for the latest batch of cast changes down at The Savoy as Legally Blonde welcome some new faces on board and extend the contracts of others.
From October the lead male roles of Emmitt and Warner will be played by Stephan Ashfield and Ben Freeman respectively, following in the footsteps of Alex Gaumont, Lee Mead and Duncan James.
Ashfield best known for playing Bob Gaudio in the original London cast of Jersey Boys will play opposite two former ‘Hollyoaks’ soapstars in Carley Stenson as Elle Woods and Natalie Stenson’s Paulette.