Nicholas Lyndhurst joins West End cast of Carousel

Lyndhurst joins Alfie Boe and Katherine Jenkins in Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic musical

It has been announced that TV and West End star Nicholas Lyndhurst - perhaps best known for his TV role of Rodney on "Only Fools and Horses" - will join previously announced Katherine Jenkins and Alfie Boe in a new semi-staged production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic musical Carousel at the ENO's London Coliseum. Lyndhurst will take on the role of Star Keeper, opposite Jenkins as Julie Jordan and Boe as Billy Bigelow. Further casting includes Brenda Edwards (Nettie Fowler), Derek Hagen (Jigger Craigin), Alex Young (Carrie Pipperidge), Gavin Spokes (Enoch Snow), Susan Kyd (Mrs Mullin), Martyn Ellis (Mr Bascombe) and Davide Fienauri (Carnival Boy). Final casting will be confirmed shortly.

Nicholas Lyndhurst has previously appeared in a number of West End productions, including The Tempest (Theatre Royal Haymarket), Allan Davis' The Straight and Narrow (Wyndham's Theatre), and The Dresser (Duke of York's Theatre). Besides his role on "Only Fools and Horses," other screen credits include "Goodnight Sweetheart," "After You've Gone," "Rock & Chips," "Butterflies" and "The Piglet Files." He can also be seen in the recently released film "United Kingdom"

The production will feature a large ensemble, which includes Bruce Aguilar Rohan, Thomas Audibert, Will Barratt, Jay Bryce, Danielle Cato, Jacob Chapman, Nolan Edwards, Alexander Evans, Lizzi Franklin, Alice Jane, Tessa Kadler, Hannah Kenna Thomas, Jasmine Leung, Leisha Mollyneaux, Rachel Muldoon, Saori Oda, Kane Oliver Parry, Daniel Perry, Alastair Postlethwaite, Joseph Poulton, Verity Quade, Genevieve Taylor, James Titchener, Adam Vaughan, Matthew Whennell-Clark and Anna Woodside. 

The production is scheduled to run for 41 performances from 7 April to 31 May 2017 at the iconic London venue.

Carousel is based on the play "Liliom" By Ferenc Molnar, as adapted By Benjamin F. Glazer. Set on the New England coastline, Carousel is a story of true love, loss and feelings left unspoken. Following the ill-fated love affair between bad boy Billy Bigelow and trusting Julie Jordan, this classic musical is deeply touching and will capture your heart, featuring a score of hit songs including "If I Loved You", "June is Bustin' Out All Over" and "You'll Never Walk Alone".

The production will feature a full cast, choir and 40-strong ENO orchestra in a similar move to the previous spring musicals Sweeney Todd and Sunset Boulevard, also produced by Michael Linnit and Michael Grade at the London Coliseum.

Tickets are now on sale.