Cilla The Musical
feb2018.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 27/01/2018 11:13 Page 69
Coming to Northampton’s Royal & Derngate later this month (February) is the spectacular and heart-warming Cilla – The Musical an adaptation of the critically acclaimed ITV mini-series based on the early life of Cilla Black, by BAFTA award winner, Jeff Pope (Philomena, From the Cradle to the Grave, Mrs Biggs). The story follows the extraordinary life of the ordinary teenage girl from Liverpool, Priscilla White, and her rocky, yet incredible, rise to fame. By the age of just 25 she was recognised as international singing star Cilla Black. By the age of 30 she had become Britain’s favourite television entertainer headlining series of Surprise Surprise, Blind Date and many more. The musical score is the ultimate soundtrack to the ‘60s including Cilla’s greatest hits Anyone Who Had a Heart, Alfie and Something Tells Me, alongside a backdrop of the legendary “Liverpool Sound” including the Beatles’ Twist and Shout, and American influences like California Dreamin’ by The Mamas and The Papas and many more. Starring as Cilla Black is Kara Lily Hayworth, who beat thousands of hopefuls in nationwide open auditions for the coveted role. The musical reunites Tom Dunlea, Michael Hawkins and Gemma Brodrick-Bower, all of whom starred in Jeff Pope’s original ITV miniseries Cilla. It also reunites Andrew Lancel with the role of Brian Epstein, which he played on stage to great critical acclaim in Epstein – The Man Who Made The Beatles. Andrew is best known to TV audiences as super-villain Frank Foster in Coronation Street and as DI Neil Manson in the long-running ITV television series The Bill. Cilla – The Musical takes to the Derngate stage from Tuesday 20th to Saturday 24th February with evening performances at 7.30pm and matinees at 2.30pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Tickets are priced from £17 to £41 and can be booked by calling the Box Office on 01604 624811 or online at www.royalandderngate.co.uk.