Full cast announced for NOW That's What I Call A Musical
Featuring all our favourite hits from the 80's and 90's! 🎶
Last updated 8th Aug 2024
ROYO, UNIVERSAL MUSIC UK, SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT & MIGHTY VILLAGE, producers of the world premiere of NOW That’s What I Call A Musical have announced the full cast for the world premiere of NOW That’s What I Call A Musical, a brand-new British musical written by award-winning comedian Pippa Evans and directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood. NOW That’s What I Call A Musical will begin performances on 6th September 2024 at Aylesbury’s Waterside Theatre before commencing a major UK and Ireland tour.
Joining the company are Kieran Cooper (Strictly Ballroom – UK tour) as Younger Tim, Christopher Glover (The Kite Runner - 2024 Ireland UK Tour) as Dad, Chris Grahamson (Phil Spector in TINA – The Tina Turner Musical) as Tim, Maia Hawkins (Cassie in A Chorus Line at Doreen Bird College) as Younger April, Lauren Hendricks (Much Ado About Nothing at the East London Shakespeare Festival) as Ms Dorian, Shakil Hussain (Frankie Goes to Bollywood – UK tour) as Frank, Nikita Johal (Wendla in Spring Awakening at Hope Mill Theatre) as Younger Gemma, Luke Latchman (Sunset Boulevard at the Savoy Theatre) as Younger Frank, Matthew Mori (professional debut) as Younger Steve, Phil Sealey (TONY! The Tony Blair Rock Opera - UK Tour) as Steve, Callum Tempest (Miss Saigon at Sheffield Crucible) as Barney and Poppy Tierney (Cabaret at Lido 2, Paris) as Mum.
The cast is completed by Emily Barnett-Salter (Annie - UK Tour), Molly Cheesley (Jane Austen’s Emma - UK Tour), Lizzy Ives (professional debut), Stefanos Petri (professional debut) and Martha Pothen (Oliver! at Leeds Playhouse).
They join the previously announced Nina Wadia who will star as Gemma, Melissa Jacques as April from 6 September 2024 (Aylesbury) up to and including 7 December 2024 (Brighton) and Sam Bailey who will then take over the role from 14 January 2025 (Southampton) to 12 April 2025 (Wimbledon) as well as an be an array of special guest stars playing themselves and singing the songs that made them NOW icons. In 2024 Sinitta will perform in Aylesbury, Sheffield, Canterbury, Nottingham and Norwich with Sonia in Newcastle, Cardiff, Milton Keynes and Brighton, Carol Decker in Truro, Belfast and Woking, and Jay Osmond in Bradford.
In 2025 Sinitta will be appearing in Dublin, Hull and York with Sonia in Southampton, Southend, Bristol, Liverpool, Wimbledon and Birmingham and Carol Decker in Oxford. For further detail, patrons are advised to check their local websites.
Get ready to relive the playlist of your life by celebrating 40 years of the iconic and chart-topping compilations brand NOW That’s What I Call Music, which has sold an estimated 200 million copies worldwide. This fun-filled evening is bursting with hits from Whitney Houston, Wham! Blondie, Tears For Fears, Spandau Ballet and so many more.
It’s Birmingham, 1989. Two school friends, Gemma and April, are busy with very important business - planning their lives based on Number One Magazine quizzes and dreaming of snogging Rick Astley.
Cut to Birmingham 2009 and it’s the most dreaded event of their lives– the school reunion. Drama, old flames and receding hairlines come together as friends reunite and everything from the past starts to slot into place. The biggest question is: what was with all that hairspray?
For more information and tour dates you can visit the NOW That's What I Call a Musical's website.
Have a look at more musicals coming this year:
Standing at the Sky's Edge
Where: Gillian Lynne Theatre, London When: Closes August 2024
Following their win at the 2023 Olivier Awards, Sheffield Theatre's production of Standing at the Sky's Edge will transfer to the West End in 2024. The musical tells three interweaving stories across time all set in the Park Hill estate in Sheffield alongside the music of Richard Hawley.
Hadestown
Where: Lyric Theatre, London. When: From 10th February 2024
After becoming a smash on Broadway, Hadestown is returning to London for its West End debut. The production was last seen on this side of the Atlantic back in 2018 when it ran at the National Theatre.
Cruel Intentions: The 90's Musical
Where: the Other Palace theatre. When: January 2024 till May 2024
Based on the film of the same name, the show started off in New York then transferred to the Edinburgh Fringe festival with a sold out run. Featuring all the best 90's music!
Everybody's Talking About Jamie
Where: Peacock Theatre. When: 5th February.
The smash hit musical is back in the West End. Based on a true story, Jamie New is sixteen and lives on a council estate in Sheffield. Jamie doesn't quite fit in. Jamie is terrified about the future. Jamie is going to be a sensation!
Clueless The Musical
Where: Churchill Theatre Bromley. When: 12th February.
90's Beverly Hill is coming to the UK! Based on the film with the same name. Directed by Sarna Lapine (Sunday in the Park with George), Clueless The Musical features music by the multi-platinum singer-songwriter KT Tunstall, and lyrics by Grammy winner and three-time Tony nominee Glenn Slater (Sister Act The Musical, Tangled).
Bonnie & Clyde
Where: UK and Ireland tour. When: From 22nd February 2024
Following two runs in London, Bonnie & Clyde are hitting the road in 2024 starting with the Curve Theatre in Leicester.
Starter For Ten
Where: Bristol Old Vic, Bristol. When: 29th February to 30th March 2024
Based on the David Nicholls' novel and the HBO/Playtone film adaptation, the musical Starter For Ten will be getting its world premiere in Bristol in 2024. This tale of love, class and growing up in the 1980s is set in Bristol against the backdrop of the legendary British quiz show University Challenge.
MJ The Musical
Where: Prince Edward Theatre, London. When: 6th March 2024
The jukebox musical inspired by the making of Michael Jackson's 1992 Dangerous World tour has been a smash on Broadway and will be crossing the pond in 2024. MJ The Musical will star Tony Award winner Myles Frost in the titular role, having originated it in New York.
Opening Night
Where: Gielgud Theatre. When: 6th March – 27th July.
Starring Sheridan Smith this is a new musical based on a theatre company who are preparing to stage a play on Broadway.
Sister Act
Where: Dominion Theatre. When: March 2024.
Another musical based on a film the smash-hit musical is back! Starring the Olivier award winner Beverley Knight, our very own Lemar, Alexandra Burke and Ruth Jones the all star cast will be bringing the gospel to the West End!
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Where: UK tour. When: From 30th April 2024
Based on the books by James Bond author Ian Fleming and its 1968 film adaptation a new production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will be flying across the UK in 2024.
Kiss Me, Kate
Where: The Barbican. When: 4th June till 14th September 2024.
It's a sophisticated, ferociously funny, show within a show – which whisks you into a world of backstage chaos and romantic entanglements as a theatre company attempt to put on a production of Shakespeare's 'The Taming of the Shrew'. The battle of the sexes takes centre stage as former spouses feud, only to find the off-stage antics rival the drama on-stage. Throw in a number of cases of mistaken identity, confused love, gangsters and a spectacular tap routine and you get Kiss Me, Kate.
Burlesque The Musical
Where: Manchester Opera House. When: 13th June.
Burlesque the Musical has a book by Steven Antin, with additional material by Kate Wetherhead. The music and lyrics are by Christina Aguilera, Sia, Diane Warren, Todrick Hall & Jess Folley.
Next To Normal
Where: Wyndham's Theatre. When: 18th June.
The hit Donmar Wearhouse production of the Broadway musical gets a West End transfer. Directed by Michael Longhurst, this powerful rock musical takes audiences into the minds and hearts of each character, presenting their family's story with love, sympathy and heart.
Starlight Express
Where: Troubadour Wembley park When: June 2024.
The iconic musical from Andrew Lloyd Webber is coming back to London! The roller-skating fast moving musical will be showing at the Wembley with an extended run due to high demand! The story follows a children's train set coming to life.
Hello Dolly!
Where: London Palladium. When: 6th July.
Winner of four Tony Awards and the critically acclaimed Broadway musical is back in the West End. Staring Olivier award and BAFTA Award winning Imelda Staunton. Say Hello Dolly!
Shrek The Musical
Where: Eventim Apollo. When: 19th July.
The musical is back in the West End. Based on the hit film series the musical features Antony Lawrence (The Lion King, Mary Poppins, Matilda the Musical) as Shrek, with Strictly Come Dancing star Joanne Clifton (The Addams Family) as Princess Fiona
A Chorus line
Where: Sadler's Wells Theatre. When: July 2024.
The smash hit Broadway production Known for its stellar choreography and snappy songs celebrating theatre and the stories behind it.
The Devil wears Prada The Musical
Where: Dominion Theatre. When: October 2024.
Yet another musical based on a film! Groundbreaking. Headed by Elton John the plot will follow closely to the film with this musical being in the works since 2017!
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Where: Ambassadors Theatre When: October 2024 The foot-stomping new musical, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button will transfer to the West End's Ambassadors Theatre from Thursday 10th October 2024. The production captured hearts last year with its sold-out Southwark Playhouse run - winning Best Musical Theatre Production at the 2024 Off West End Awards.
Only Fools and Horses The Musical
Where: Eventim Apollo. When: 17th December.
Lovely jubbly! The English classic has its own musical and its back! Based on the BBC comedy with the Trotters of Peckham are brought to life once again through an ingenious and hilarious original score.
Shucked
Where: London (Venue TBC) When: 2024
The new comedy musical about corn that's taking Broadway by storm is set to cross the Atlantic in 2024. While most details are yet to be announced, we know that producer Cameron Mackintosh is set to have Shucked open in one of his West End theatres in 2024.
Bronco Billy The Musical
Where: Charing Cross Theatre. When: Jan 2024.
Based on the hit film starring Clint Eastwood the musical follows a group of romantic fast-drawing, trick-riding, disco-dancing Wild West roustabouts and their travelling show, but things take an unexpected turn when Bronco Billy (leader of this rag-tag troupe) meets Antoinette Lilly, a determined Manhattan heiress on the run for her life. Starring Emily Benjamin who appeared as an alternate Sally Bowles in Cabaret.
Just For One Day
Where: The Old Vic. When: 26th January – 30th March.
Based on the worlds most famous concert Band Aid this musical tells the story of how this epic concert brought so many people together and how Rock 'n' Roll changed the world. Featuring songs from Queen, U2, The Who, Elton John and many more.
Calendar Girls
Where: The Lowry When: Tuesday 16th to Saturday 20th January.
Calendar Girls follows a group of extraordinary women in a small Yorkshire Women's Institute, prompted to create a nude calendar following the death of a much-loved husband, to raise funds for charity.