Cilla The Musical
Cilla The Musical is a jukebox musical written by Jeff Pope based on the early career and music of Cilla Black and Pope's 2014 ITV miniseries biopic of the same name.
| Cilla | |
|---|---|
| The Musical | |
 Original UK tour poster | |
| Music | Various |
| Lyrics | Various |
| Book | Jeff Pope |
| Basis | The life and music of Cilla Black and Cilla (2014 miniseries) by Jeff Pope |
| Premiere | 1 September 2017: Liverpool Empire Theatre |
| Productions | 2017 UK tour |
Production
Original UK tour (2017-18)
Produced by Bill Kenwright and Laurie Mansfield, the production opened at the Liverpool Empire Theatre from 7 September 2017 before touring the UK, starring Kara Lilly Hayworth as Cilla and Andrew Lancel as Brian Epstein.[1] The production is directed by Kenwright and Bob Tomson, choreographed by Carole Todd, set and costume designed by Gary McCann, lighting designed by Nick Richings, sound designed by Dan Samson, wigs designed by Richard Mawbey, with Scott Alder as musical director and Gary Hickeson as musical producer and orchestral arrangement.
UK tour and West End (2021)
The production was scheduled to begin another UK tour from 23 September 2020 at the Liverpool Empire Theatre, starring Sheridan Smith reprising her role as Cilla from the TV series, however it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2]
On 29 November 2020 at the Royal Variety Performance, Smith performed 'Anyone Who Had A Heart' and 'You're My World' from the musical opposite Andrew Lancel reprising the role of Brian Epstein from the original tour. The host Jason Manford mentioned that the tour will open in Liverpool in 2021 before a run in London's West End in his introduction.
Musical numbers
Cast and characters
| Character | 2017 UK tour | 2021 UK tour |
|---|---|---|
| Cilla Black | Kara Lilly Hayworth | Sheridan Smith |
| Bobby | Alexander Patmore | |
| Brian Epstein | Andrew Lancel | |
| Big Cilla | Jayne Ashley | |
| John White | Neil MacDonald | |
| Johnny Hutchinson | Tom Dunlea | |
| Pat | Billie Hardy | |
| Rose Willis | Harriette Mullen | |
| Pauline | Gemma Brodrick-Bower | |
| Ringo Starr | Bill Caple | |
| Paul McCartney / Denny Doherty | Joe Etherington | |
| Kenny Willis | Timothy Lucas | |
| John Lennon | Michael Hawkins | |
| Gerry Marsden | Alan Howell | |
| Adrian Barber / John Phillips | Jay Osborne | |
| George Harrison | Alex Harford | |
| Daniel | Gary Mitchinson | |
| Beryl / Swing | Chloe Edwards-Wood | |
| George Martin | Tom Sowinski | |
| John Gustafson | Christopher Weeks | |
References
- "Cilla the Musical finds its leading lady | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
- "Sheridan Smith to star in Bill Kenwright's Cilla The Musical". LondonTheatre1. 9 March 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.