Initial casting announced for West End transfer of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole

Adult casting has been announced for the West End premiere of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13 ¾ - The Musical at the Ambassadors Theatre.

Based on the 1980s children's books by Sue Townsend, the musical follows Adrian Mole, a Leicester teenager who feels that he doesn't fit in with his family or friends. Falling in love with new classmate Pandora, Adrian tries to steal her heart in a musical with an original book, music and lyrics by Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary.  

Olivier Award-nominated actress Rosemary Ashe will star in the production. With a three-decade West End career, notable performances include the original cast in The Phantom of the Opera as Carlotta, Madame Thenardier in Les Miserables and Felicia Gabriel in The Witches of Eastwick.

Previously the artistic director of Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, Ian Talbot OBE returns to musical theatre to star in The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, previously playing Wilbur Turnblad in Hairspray at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Previous theatre credits include Royal Shakespeare Company productions of The Tempest, King Lear and The Taming of the Shrew.  

Further casting includes John Hopkins, with previous West End credits include The Boys in the Band at the Vaudeville Theatre, with television credits including Poldark, Endeavour and Midsomer Murders. Lara Denning will also appear in the production. Returning to a parental character in a West End production, her previous credits including Matilda the Musical as Miss Honey and Mrs Wormwood and Mrs Bucket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

The adult cast is completed by Andrew Langtree, Amy Ellen Richardson, Holly Ashton and Matthew Craig.

Details on the children's cast are to be announced.

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole received its world premiere at the Leicester Curve Theatre in 2015, later receiving its London premiere at the Menier Chocolate Factory in 2017.

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13 ¾ - The Musical is at the Ambassadors Theatre from 15th June to 12th October.

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13 ¾ - The Musical tickets are available now.