Shane Richie to join West End cast of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
Actor Shane Richie is set to join the West End cast of Everybody's Talking About Jamie in the New Year, it has been announced.
Known for playing Queen Vic landlord Alfie Moon in EastEnders, Richie will play the role of Hugo/Loco Chanelle in the musical from 28th January until 4th May.
He will join the cast at the same time as Layton Williams, who will take over the title role from its originator, John McCrea. Further casting is set to be announced at a later date.
The musical, which opened in Sheffield in 2016, tells the story of a 16-year-old boy called Jamie New, who has to deal with friction when he plans to wear a dress to his school prom. It has music from The Feeling songwriter Dan Gillespie Sells, and a book by Doctor Who writer Tom MacRae.
Announcing his casting in the role, Richie said he "jumped at the chance" to play Hugo, who takes Jamie under his wing in the musical.
He said: "I started my career in nightclubs and cabaret pubs - the kind of world Hugo inhabits - where I met some wonderful characters. So in a sense, I feel like I've met Hugo/Loco Chanelle before. I've had lots of ideas about how to portray the character and sing the songs."
Richie's stage credits include the West End production of Grease, Lone Star and Private Wars at the King's Head Theatre, as well as UK tours of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Scrooge: The Musical.
Producer Nica Burns said: "We are all delighted that Shane is joining the cast of Everybody's Talking About Jamie, he's an incredibly talented performer. I know he'll pull out all the stops and make Hugo / Loco Chanelle entirely his own."
Everybody's Talking About Jamie is booking at the Apollo Theatre until 28th September.
Everybody's Talking About Jamie tickets are available now.
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