Jason Manford and Adrian Lester have been cast in ‘Guys and Dolls’.
The 37-year-old comedian and the 50-year-old actor are set to perform as Nathan Detroit and Sky Masterson respectively in the musical hit at The Royal Albert Hall in October for three shows.
Adrian – who was in ‘Othello’ at the National Theatre in 2013 – said: "It’s been a few years since I’ve been on stage and quite a few more since I’ve been in a musical, but singing at the Royal Albert Hall, backed by the Royal Philharmonic, is an opportunity too good to miss. I’m really looking forward to singing Sky Masterson as part of a great company."
The production tells the story of Nathan, a conman who bets Manhattan high-rolling gambler Sky that he can’t take the ‘Doll’ of Nathan’s choosing with him on a date.
The show will be accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and will feature showstoppers including ‘Luck Be a Lady’, ‘Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat’ and ‘My Time of Day’.
‘8 out of 10 Cats’ star Jason embarked on his theatre career in a production of ‘Sweeney Todd’, opposite Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton, which led to a starring role in ‘The Producers’ and a year-long run in ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’.
The musical will also feature Meow Meow as Miss Adelaide, Joe Stilgoe as Benny Southstreet and Clive Rowe reprising his Olivier Award-winning role of Nicely Nicely Johnson.
‘Guys and Dolls: Live in Concert’ will take place at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday 19 October (7:30pm) and Saturday 20 October (2:30pm and 7:30pm) 2018. Tickets are available at www.royalalberthall.com