Joshua Andrews and Adam Spiegel present
Kay Mellor’s
FAT FRIENDS - THE MUSICAL
Kay Mellor’s
FAT FRIENDS - THE MUSICAL
Sam Bailey to star alongside Jodie Prenger in the brand new stage musical Fat Friends -The Musical
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend on Sea
Mon 19 – Sat 24 Feb
Written and directed by BAFTA and multi award-winning Kay Mellor with original music from Nicholas Lloyd Webber
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend on Sea
Mon 19 – Sat 24 Feb
Written and directed by BAFTA and multi award-winning Kay Mellor with original music from Nicholas Lloyd Webber
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 play the much loved role of Betty, originated on screen by Alison Steadman.
The award winning TV drama has been adapted for the stage by it’s creator and one of the UK’s most prolific writers, Kay Mellor, whose extensive television credits include hit series of Band of Gold, The Chase, The Syndicate, In the Club and whose stage credits include A Passionate Woman. The award-winning Jodie Prenger will lead the company in the beloved role of Kelly Stevenson with further casting to be announced.
Produced by Joshua Andrews and Adam Spiegel, with original music by Nicholas Lloyd Webber, Fat Friends – The Musical will open at Leeds Grand Theatre in November ahead of an extensive UK tour, visiting Bromley, Newcastle, Hull, Southampton, Sheffield, Southend, Milton Keynes, Norwich, Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham, Dartford, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Glasgow, Bradford, Aberdeen and Blackpool.
Sam Bailey shot into the hearts of the nation in 2013, when the former Prison Officer won ITV’s The X Factor and reached Christmas number one with her first single, ‘Skyscraper’. She has gone on to receive public acclaim for her role as Mama Morton in the recent UK tour of Chicago.
Sam Bailey said “I’m absolutely delighted to have been cast as Betty in Fat Friends – The Musical. I loved the show when it was on ITV and I feel so honoured to be working with such a talented group of people. I know I am going to learn so much from Kay and Nicholas and I can’t wait to start rehearsals.”
Kay Mellor said “I was absolutely delighted when we announced Jodie Prenger would lead the cast for Fat Friends – The Musical, she’s the perfect fit to bring Kelly to life on stage and I can’t wait to see her in action. It fills me with pride to know that the musical will be seen by audiences across the nation with such a talented cast.
“I watched every episode of The X Factor when Sam was in it, because to me she was an ordinary woman. A mother and a wife who had the voice of an angel and a wonderfully warm personality. It was one of those rare times that I actually picked up the phone and voted. I auditioned Sam for about one minute for Fat Friends the Musical - as soon as she said my words and I looked in her eyes, I knew that she understood the character of Betty. She is an instinctive actress that will bring great depth and warmth to the character.
With original music and songs composed by Nicholas Lloyd Webber, designed by Bretta Gerecke, musical supervision, orchestrations and arrangements from Simon Lee, sound design by two time Olivier Award winning Gareth Owen and lighting design from Tony Award nominated Nick Richings, Fat Friends - The Musical, sees the nation’s favourite group of dieters reunited as this new show bursts on to the stage.
The ‘weight’ is over; Packed full of warmth, life and weight loss, this brand new stage show reunites our favourite foodie friends in an original musical bulging with hopes, humour and heart. Join the infamous group of loveable characters as they are put through their Zumba paces at their local branch of Super Slimmer’s by the lovelorn Lauren whilst Kelly fantasises about fitting into the wedding dress of her dreams. Fat Friends offers a generous serving of hilarious fun with a sprinkle of romance on top!
Fat Friends hit television screens in October 2000, following the lives of a group of overweight friends as they struggle with the absurdities of modern dieting. Running for five years on ITV, the show starred Alison Steadman, Gaynor Faye and Lisa Riley and launched the careers of James Corden and Ruth Jones. Written by Kay Mellor, the show was nominated for multiple awards including the BAFTA for Best Drama Series.
Online: www.fatfriendsthemusical.com
Twitter: @FatFriendsShow
#FatFriendsOnTour
The award winning TV drama has been adapted for the stage by it’s creator and one of the UK’s most prolific writers, Kay Mellor, whose extensive television credits include hit series of Band of Gold, The Chase, The Syndicate, In the Club and whose stage credits include A Passionate Woman. The award-winning Jodie Prenger will lead the company in the beloved role of Kelly Stevenson with further casting to be announced.
Produced by Joshua Andrews and Adam Spiegel, with original music by Nicholas Lloyd Webber, Fat Friends – The Musical will open at Leeds Grand Theatre in November ahead of an extensive UK tour, visiting Bromley, Newcastle, Hull, Southampton, Sheffield, Southend, Milton Keynes, Norwich, Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham, Dartford, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Glasgow, Bradford, Aberdeen and Blackpool.
Sam Bailey shot into the hearts of the nation in 2013, when the former Prison Officer won ITV’s The X Factor and reached Christmas number one with her first single, ‘Skyscraper’. She has gone on to receive public acclaim for her role as Mama Morton in the recent UK tour of Chicago.
Sam Bailey said “I’m absolutely delighted to have been cast as Betty in Fat Friends – The Musical. I loved the show when it was on ITV and I feel so honoured to be working with such a talented group of people. I know I am going to learn so much from Kay and Nicholas and I can’t wait to start rehearsals.”
Kay Mellor said “I was absolutely delighted when we announced Jodie Prenger would lead the cast for Fat Friends – The Musical, she’s the perfect fit to bring Kelly to life on stage and I can’t wait to see her in action. It fills me with pride to know that the musical will be seen by audiences across the nation with such a talented cast.
“I watched every episode of The X Factor when Sam was in it, because to me she was an ordinary woman. A mother and a wife who had the voice of an angel and a wonderfully warm personality. It was one of those rare times that I actually picked up the phone and voted. I auditioned Sam for about one minute for Fat Friends the Musical - as soon as she said my words and I looked in her eyes, I knew that she understood the character of Betty. She is an instinctive actress that will bring great depth and warmth to the character.
With original music and songs composed by Nicholas Lloyd Webber, designed by Bretta Gerecke, musical supervision, orchestrations and arrangements from Simon Lee, sound design by two time Olivier Award winning Gareth Owen and lighting design from Tony Award nominated Nick Richings, Fat Friends - The Musical, sees the nation’s favourite group of dieters reunited as this new show bursts on to the stage.
The ‘weight’ is over; Packed full of warmth, life and weight loss, this brand new stage show reunites our favourite foodie friends in an original musical bulging with hopes, humour and heart. Join the infamous group of loveable characters as they are put through their Zumba paces at their local branch of Super Slimmer’s by the lovelorn Lauren whilst Kelly fantasises about fitting into the wedding dress of her dreams. Fat Friends offers a generous serving of hilarious fun with a sprinkle of romance on top!
Fat Friends hit television screens in October 2000, following the lives of a group of overweight friends as they struggle with the absurdities of modern dieting. Running for five years on ITV, the show starred Alison Steadman, Gaynor Faye and Lisa Riley and launched the careers of James Corden and Ruth Jones. Written by Kay Mellor, the show was nominated for multiple awards including the BAFTA for Best Drama Series.
Online: www.fatfriendsthemusical.com
Twitter: @FatFriendsShow
#FatFriendsOnTour
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Sam Bailey is an internationally renowned singer who rose to fame when she won the tenth series of The X Factor in 2013. Her debut single ‘Skyscraper’, reached Christmas number one and her debut album The Power of Love stormed to the top of the UK album charts in 2014. She had her West Debut in Sam Bailey: Live in the West End, performing her favourite songs from musicals to a sold out Lyric theatre. Other theatre roles include starring in Dick Whittington (Waterside Theatre) in 2015 playing Fairy Bowbells and playing the major role of Mama Morton in the national UK tour of hit blockbuster Chicago in 2016. Sam is currently enjoying a UK tour of ‘Sing My Heart Out’ following the release of her eponymous album last year.
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Jodie Prenger is currently touring the UK in Willy Russell’s Shirley Valentine. Jodie landed the role of Nancy in Cameron Mackintosh's revival production of Oliver! at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane after winning BBC 1's I'd Do Anything. She won the 2010 WhatsOnStage Theatregoer’s Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. She then went on to play The Lady of The Lake in the Spamalot UK tour and in the West End at the Playhouse Theatre, and Dolly in the National Theatre's production of One Man Two Guvnors at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. 2015 saw Jodie star in the title role of Calamity Jane on the UK No. 1 Tour. Christmas 2015 saw Jodie playing Miss Hannigan in Annie at the New Theatre, Oxford and then early 2016 saw her starring in the new UK tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s one woman show Tell Me On A Sunday. Jodie has recently just finished Les Misérables as Madame Thénardier in Dubai and returned to panto as Fairy Bow Bells in Dick Whittington at Birmingham Hippodrome. As an actress, television work includes Jamie Johnson for CBBC, Citizen Khan, Casualty, Wizards vs Aliens, Candy Cabs and Waterloo Road, all for BBC1. |
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Kay Mellor OBE is a Leeds born and bred Writer, Director and Actress best known for her work on several successful and groundbreaking drama series’ including Fat Friends, Band of Gold, The Syndicate and In The Club. She is also well known for her stage version of A Passionate Woman, which played in the West End and is still touring to this day both nationally and internationally.
Fat Friends – The Musical
By Kay Mellor
Director: Kay Mellor
Music by Nicholas Lloyd Webber
Musical Supervisor, Orchestrations and Arrangements: Simon Lee
Set and Costume Design: Bretta Gerecke
Sound Design by Gareth Owen
Lighting Design by Nick Richings
Fat Friends – The Musical
By Kay Mellor
Director: Kay Mellor
Music by Nicholas Lloyd Webber
Musical Supervisor, Orchestrations and Arrangements: Simon Lee
Set and Costume Design: Bretta Gerecke
Sound Design by Gareth Owen
Lighting Design by Nick Richings
SOUTHEND Cliffs Pavilion
01702 351135
ON SALE NOW
01702 351135
ON SALE NOW