Preview: Fat Friends at Newcastle Theatre Royal

IT’S OFF THE SCALE! FAT FRIENDS HEADS TO

NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL

Fat Friends

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Tuesday 23^rd – Saturday 27^th January 2018

Is healthy eating and getting fit top your New Year Resolutions list? Need something to keep the motivation high? The weight is over! Head down to Newcastle Theatre Royal where Fat Friends the Musical – adapted by award-winning national treasure and creator of the popular TV show Kay Mellor - will be bursting onto the stage in a brand new musical, with original music by Nick Lloyd Webber.

Starring Jodie Prenger (Oliver!, Calamity Jane, Tell Me On A Sunday) as Kelly – who is making a swift return to Newcastle Theatre Royal after her triumphant run in Shirley Valentine – Sam Bailey (XFactor, Chicago) as Betty, Atomic Kitten singer Natasha Hamilton (Blood Brothers, Rent) as Julia, Natalie Anderson (Emmerdale, The Royal, Wicked) as Lauren, Kevin Kennedy (Coronation Street, The Commitments) as Fergus and Joel Montague (School of Rock, Funny Girl) as Kevin, Fat Friends the Musical is packed full of warmth, life and weight loss and this brand new stage show reunites our favourite foodie friends in an original musical bulging with hopes, humour and heart.

Also appearing will be Rachael Wooding (We Will Rock You) as Joanne, Jonathan Halliwell (Let It Shine) as Paul and Chloe Hart (Hairspray) as Val. Alan will be played by Neil Hurst, one of dozens who applied for the role through an open audition call. Further cast includes: Craig Armstrong, Lizzie Bea, Paul Brangan, Emma Crossley, Ellie Leah, Laura Mansell and Ryan Pidgen.

Adapted for the stage by its creator and one of the UK’s most prolific writers, Kay Mellor - whose extensive television credits include hit series of Band of Gold, The Chase, The Syndicate, In the Club and whose stage credits include A Passionate Woman - Fat Friends first hit television screens in October 2000. Following the lives of a group of overweight friends as they struggle with the absurdities of modern dieting the show entertained millions of viewers for five years on ITV and starred Alison Steadman, Gaynor Faye and Lisa Riley and launched the careers of James Corden and Ruth Jones. Written by Kay Mellor, the show was nominated for multiple awards including the BAFTA for Best Drama Series.

Fat Friends the Musical sees the infamous group of loveable characters put through their Zumba paces at their local branch of Super Slimmer’s by the lovelorn Lauren whilst Kelly fantasises about fitting into the wedding dress of her dreams. Fat Friends the musical offers a generous serving of hilarious fun with a sprinkle of romance on top!

Tickets:

Fat Friends plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 23^rd – Saturday 27^th January 2018.  Tickets are from £19.50 and can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge).