SALFORD ACTRESS TO STAR IN JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA THIS AUGUST

The creative team behind the long-awaited revival of Jerry Springer – The Opera have announced details of the final cast members to complete the company.

And Salford born actress Emily Chesterton has landed the roles Peaches and Baby Jane. A graduate of LIPA (Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts), the up and coming actresses credits include Bark! The Musical; Shout! The Mod Musical; and The Kissing Dance.

The ensemble cast of Northern-based talent are tasked with bringing the smash hit cult show’s colourful characters to life on stage.

Jerry Springer – The Opera runs at Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre, for four weeks from Thursday 8 August through to Saturday 31 August 2019. Tickets are on sale now.

The controversial show is being brought back to the stage by new production company Northern Ricochet, recently formed by James Baker (Parade, Yank), Tom Chester (Parade, Mamma Mia), and Bill Elms (Epstein: The Man Who Made The Beatles, The Ruby Slippers, Something About Simon).

Northern Ricochet is delighted to announce that David Burilin, Elizabeth Chadwick, Robbie Waugh and CiCi Howells will join the recently announced Michael Howe, Matt Bond, Emily Chesterton, Georgina James, Kai Jolley, Tom Lloyd, and Andrew Patrick-Walker. Also in the company are Emily Clarke and Megan Davies-Truin plus a 14-strong choir.

Originally from St Helens, David Burilin will play Montel and Jesus. His stage credits include appearances in the West End, and as well as UK Tours of Jesus Christ Superstar; Whistle Down The Wind; and Evita. He has recently been part of a global tour as a lead vocalist in The 4Tunes.

Mary, Zandra and Irene will be played by Elizabeth Chadwick. Previous stage productions have included The Pirates Of Penzance; The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; and Birds Of Paradise. Elizabeth is also part of vintage singing trio, The Victory Sisters.

Robbie Waugh from Clitheroe has been cast to play Chucky and Adam. Credits include Shakespeare; Stop The Train; as well as performing on flagship liners Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean.

Actress and chorographer CiCi Howells will play Shawntel, her acting credits include Divas, The Greatest Show: Live in Concert, UK Tour; The Fun Fair, HOME Theatre Manchester; Saturday Night Fever, UK Tour; UK Tour; Witches of Eastwick, Watermill Theatre; Thoroughly Modern Millie, Watermill Theatre.

Matt Bond will play the roles of Dwight and God. Matthew studied at London’s Royal Academy of Music. His credits include Jekyll & Hyde; An American Musical Love Story; Sweeney Todd; and The Merry Widow.

Georgina James will play the roles of Andrea and Archangel Michael. Since graduating in musical theatre from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London, Georgina has been a lead vocalist in flagship show, An Evening With Sir Tim Rice, aboard the Seabourn Cruise Line. This is her UK theatre debut.

Canadian actor Kai Jolley is now based in Liverpool, he will play the role of Jerry Springer’s director of security Steve. An experienced actor, director, editor and award-winning production designer, Kai’s previous acting credits include Stop!..The Play; Violet The Musical; To Kill A Mockingbird; and ITILY.

Satan and Jonathan Weiruss will be played by Wirral’s Tom Lloyd. Tom recently played Leo Frank in the revival of musical Parade also at Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre, for which he was named Best Lead Actor In A Musical by the Broadway World UK Awards. He has also appeared in Saturday Night Fever; Dirty Dancing; Singin’ In The Rain; Yank!; Joseph And The Technicolour Dreamcoat; and Rent.

Andrew Patrick-Walker will play the roles of Tremont and Angel Gabriel. His theatre credits include Bat Out Of Hell; This Is The Greatest Show; and Hair. Andrew has also appeared in films Spike Island; Muppets Most Wanted; and Misunderstood.

It was also recently announced that the hotly anticipated lead role of Jerry Springer will be played by renowned actor Michael Howe, who bears a strong resemblance to the television personality.

Michael is best known from his television role playing Sebastian in the BBC series Solo alongside Felicity Kendall; as well as Mr Wilson the barrister in Hollyoaks.

Michael’s other TV credits include Casualty; Life Begins; New Tricks; Kings and Queens; South By South West; Cats Eyes; and Mackenzie. Stage roles have included numerous West End productions including Footloose; The Son Of A Preacher Man; A Tale of Two Cities; Chess; Othello; My Fair Lady; 42nd Street; and High Society. Film credits include the 2016 film A United Kingdom with David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike.

The cast will be joined by a 14-stong Jerry Choir. The singers are from across the Greater Manchester region and will play an instrumental role in the show by supporting the cast of professional actors.

Northern Ricochet is the new production company bringing Jerry Springer – The Opera back to the stage after a 15-year absence.

Northern Ricochet are passionate about producing quality theatre in the North, for the North and using Northern creatives, actors and voices.

Director James Baker commented: “What a formidable cast we have to revive Jerry Springer – The Opera. When we launched Northern Ricochet, we knew that the North West was a hotbed for talent, but we were totally overwhelmed with the calibre coming through auditions.

“We now have all 14 actors, bringing the entire company up to a total of 28 performers each night in the intimate Hope Mill Theatre, this is going to make one "hell" of a noise – we just can’t wait to start rehearsals and to bring the show back to the stage for the first time in 15 years and continue making some raucous noise with a powerful heart for the audiences of the North West. I say "go, Jerry, go!".

JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA caused a storm when it came to the UK stage in 2002, and in this new revival it promises the same raucous energy with a revamped and fresh production for 2019!

JERRY SPRINGER - THE OPERA was written by Richard Thomas, who also wrote the music and lyrics, with the book and additional lyrics by Stewart Lee and Richard Thomas. It is based on The Jerry Springer Show, which was first broadcast on television in 1991 and was on the air for 27 years. It tells the story of America’s favourite talk show host who suffers the worst day in his career when faced with some of the most challenging guests he’s ever met on set.

Website:         hopemilltheatre.co.uk

Facebook:       /Jerry Springer Manchester      

Twitter:           @JSTOMANC #JERRYJERRY

LISTING INFORMATION - JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA

Dates: Thursday 8 August – Saturday 31 August 2019

Times: Tue – Sat eves 7.30pm | Sat mat 2pm | Sunday 1pm & 5pm |Thu 29 Aug 2pm

Hope Mill Theatre

113 Pollard Street,

Manchester,

M4 7JA

HOW TO BOOK

Tickets: Preview tickets all £20.00 | General tickets £22.50 & £25.00 (concessions available) | Premium VIP On Stage seating £23.00, £25.50 & £28.00 (limited 8 seats per show)

Online: Visit https://hopemilltheatre.co.uk/events/jerry-springer-the-opera/