Author: Ryan Shorey

Renowned dancer, choreographer and television personality, Louie Spence, will join award-winning comedian Jason Manford in the brand new UK Tour of The Producers. Based on Mel Brooks’ beloved Academy Award winning movie, The Producers is a hilarious musical comedy that opens its UK tour in March 2015. Louie will play Carmen Ghia, Roger De Bris’ flamboyant assistant, until Saturday 2 May.

Louie Spence is one of the dance industry’s most unique talents. Since making his West End stage debut in Bugsy Malone aged just 13 he has starred in the original West End cast of Miss Saigon and Cats and has danced alongside Take That, Spice Girls, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder to name but a few. In 2010 SKY1’s Pineapple Dance Studio launched Louie, the Artistic Director of Edit Agency, as a household name and he has remained one, as a judge on ITV’s Dancing on Ice, a regular presenter on morning television and housemate on Celebrity Big Brother.

 Louie said; “I cannot wait to get into rehearsal and in theatres across the country with The Producers, I’m hugely excited to be part of the company and to be working with such an incredible creative team.”

Jason Manford who will play the role of downtrodden accountant Leo Bloom said; “I’ve worked with Louie a few times and I literally couldn’t think of a performer more suited to play Carmen Ghia. He’s a fantastic dancer and he knows how to get the laughs”

Following 14 sell-out worldwide tours, award-winning comedian and king of improvisational comedy, Ross Noble will make his musical theatre debut in the 2015 UK Tour of The Producers.

Ross Noble joins the cast of The Producers from Monday 18 May as Franz Liebkind; the short fused, carrier pigeon keeping, former Nazi, brought on board by Max Bialystok and Leo Bloom (Jason Manford) to help them in their plot to put on the worst musical of all time.

Ross said of his role; “I am very excited about appearing in The Producers. I am a huge fan of the show and for anyone who loves comedy, the chance to perform the work of Mel Brooks is amazing!”

Master surrealist Ross Noble has been performing as a stand-up comedian since the age of 15. His countless accolades include Time Out award winner for best live stand-up, Barry Award winner, Manchester Evening News Theatre Award, Perrier Award nominee and several Chortle Awards. Unveiling a new sell-out show every year for the last 15 years Ross is one of the most successful comedians of our time exuding an on-stage presence unlike any other. Ross’ worldwide travel as a stand-up was the subject of his own BBC Radio 4 programs Ross Noble Goes Global and Ross Noble On and series FreeWheeling on DAVE earlier this year. He joins The Producers fresh from his UK and Australian tour Tangentleman.

Jason Manford said of the news; “Ross is one of the most exciting and inventive comedians the UK has produced, he is one of those rare breed of comics who simply has funny bones. It’s a genius bit of casting!“

We are delighted to announce the full cast of the upcoming tour of Mel Brooks’ smash-hit musical The Producers. One of Britain’s best loved comedians Phill Jupitus will be joining the previously announced Jason Manford (Leo Bloom) and Louie Spence (Carmen Ghia) as short-fused, former Nazi Franz Liebkind, brought on board by Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom to help them in their plot to put on the worst musical of all time. He will share the role with fellow comedian Ross Noble, who will play Franz from 18th May. Broadway and West End star Cory English reprises his role as Max, one he previously played to critical acclaim in London and on tour. Cory’s previous credits also include: Igor in Young Frankenstein (Broadway), Benny Southstreet in Guys & Dolls (West End), Mary Sunshine/Amos in Chicago (West End). West End leading lady Tiffany Graves will also be joining the cast as Ulla, the object of Leo Bloom’s affections. Tiffany’s credits include Suki in Craig Revel Horwood’s Witches of Eastwick and Velma Kelly in Chicago (West End). The flamboyant Roger De Bris will be played by Olivier Award winner David Bedella. David created the role of Satan/Warm-Up Man in Jerry Spinger the Opera, for which he won the 2004 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical.

His further credits include: Billy Flynn in Chicago (West End), Molokov in Chess In Concert (Royal Albert Hall), Hedwig in Hedwig and The Angry Inch (London), and Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show (West End & Tour). Completing the cast will be Abigail Brodie, Jaye Elster, Rebecca Fennelly, Olivia Fines, Andrew Gordon-Watkins, Fenton Gray, Aime Hodnett, Paul Hutton, Nia Jermin, Joel Montague, Genevieve Nicole, Tosh Wanogho-Maud, Jay Webb, Russell Wilcox and Aron Wild.

The Producers has opened to rave reviews following a glitzy gala night in Manchester , receiving glowing 4 star reviews from The Sunday Times, the Sunday Express, The Times, The Daily Mail, the Guardian, What’s On Stage, The Stage and the Mail On Sunday.

Guests at the special performance on Tuesday 17^th March at the Palace Theatre included Noddy Holder, Olympian Rebecca Adlington, Phoenix Nights star Dave Spikey and Corrie’s Kym Marsh and Anthony Cotton.

Playing to a full house and a standing ovation, Alex Hibbert from the Manchester Evening News was one of the critics to award the show 5 stars, calling the show “properly superb” and “raucously funny, whilst The Stage’s Mark Shenton added that it was “irresistible”.

The show, starring Manchester’s own Jason Manford, is proving a smash-hit with audiences and is set to continue its nationwide tour through to July.

Congratulations to the whole cast and crew for a wonderful opening to a sensational Springtime tour!