Nigel Harman cast as Simon Cowell in X Factor Musical

Nigel Harman has been cast as 'Simon Cowell' in I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical, a new musical comedy, which opens at the London Palladium 26 March 2014, following previews from 27 Feb.

The cast also features Cynthia Erivo (Chenice), Alan Morrissey (Max).

Directed by Sean Foley, it has music and lyrics from Steve Brown featuring 19 new songs, with book and lyrics by Harry Hill.

Nigel Harman is perhaps best known as Dennis Rickman from TV's EastEnders. West End stage credits include "Chorus of Disapproval" at the Harold Pinter Theatre in 2012; 'Lord Farquaad' in Shrek at the Drury Lane in 2011; "Public Property" at the Trafalgar Studios 2 in 2009; "Three Days of Rain" at the Apollo Theatre in 2009; and "Guys and Dolls" at the Piccadilly Theatre in 2005.

I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical goes behind the microphone and under the judges' desk to reveal the (not necessarily accurate) story of heartache and laughter. Meet Chenice who lives in an ITV blackspot because her Grandad's iron lung interferes with the signal in her caravan, and the only girl in the world who has never heard of The X Factor. When she accidentally stumbles into the audition queue with her talking dog, she starts a journey to both stardom and love. Along the way she's joined by contestants with vastly varying degrees of ability, some judges you might well recognise and Max, a handsome ukulele playing plumber and part time eco-warrior.

It has choreography by Kate Prince, designs by Es Devlin, lighting by Jon Clark, sound by Gareth Owen, and musical supervisor is Phillip Bateman. Produced by Stage Entertainment UK and Syco Entertainment .


Originally published on

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