‘NOW That’s What I Call A Musical’ has announced a line-up of ‘80s icons to appear in the live theatre show.
Nina Wadia will star as Gemma in the world premiere of the production, written by comedian Pippa Evans and directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood, which begins performances on September 6, 2024 at Aylesbury’s Waterside Theatre before commencing a UK and Ireland tour.
Joining Nina in 2024 at certain performances will be an array of special guest stars playing themselves and singing the songs that made them icons.
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 and Dartford.
Further guest stars and musical cast members are to be announced.
“I grew up listening to the NOW tapes so for me being a part of this musical is like going home,” says Nina of the role. “When I read the script I immediately fell in love with the characters and Pippa’s story. I can’t wait to get started on my first ever musical and to see you all there later this year.”
“The most exciting thing about being involved in this project is the music. Dust off your spandex, crimp your hair and I’ll see you there,” adds Sinitta, with Sonia sharing: “We are going to take people back on a nostalgic road of all their favourite songs. Everybody has memories of where they were when that song was out and what they were doing.”
“Being part of the musical is a real compliment. T’Pau are on several of the [NOW] albums, it’s part of my life, part of my career,” continues Carol, ad Jay concludes: “I am so excited to be back in the UK and performing live on stage in ‘NOW That’s What I Call A Musical’. My brothers and I were featured in many NOW albums over the years and it’s an honour to be asked to be a part of this brand-new show.”
‘NOW That’s What I Call A Musical’ features some of the biggest hits from the 1980s, with tracks from Whitney Houston, Wham! Blondie, Tears For Fears, Spandau Ballet and others.
A synopsis reads: “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?”
