The well-loved storyline focuses on the lives of five women in their 20s, 30s and 40s who all face tough situations, usually involving love and relationships, each trying to find true happiness! Throughout the story, they all write to Gwendolyn Holmes, an agony aunt working on the magazine Shout!, for her help and advice.
While one of the women travels from America to Britain (to seek out Paul McCartney!), another is starting to suspect her husband is cheating on her. The third woman faces up to some pertinent questions regarding her sexuality, whilst the fourth is on a journey of lust and good-looking men. And finally the fifth and youngest woman, feeling hopeless and unwanted, comes alive when the man of her dreams enters her life. Each story is told to a background of the classic hit 60’s songs that made the likes of Petula Clark and Dusty Springfield household names. Not forgetting of course Lulu’s 1964 hit, Shout!, which spent 13 weeks riding high in the charts.
Cast in the role of ‘Blue Girl’ is Helena Blackmanm, who trained at the Guildford School of Acting and has forged a very successful career in musical theatre, television and radio since coming runner up on BBC1’s How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria in 2006. Some of her theatrecredits include Maria von Trapp and Elsa Schraeder in The Sound of Music, Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, Nellie Forbush in South Pacific and Paulettein Legally Blonde.
The role of ‘Orange Girl’ falls to Niki Evans who made the X-Factor semi-finals in 2007 capturing the hearts of the nation and a legion of fans along the way, as well as being highly complimented by Simon Cowell. Niki made her musical theatre debut as the leading lady in Blood Brothers in the West End and her portrayal of Mrs Johnstone was loudly applauded by critics and audiences alike. Niki has also toured as solo singer with pop stars Sonia, Lonnie Gordon, Big Fun and Yell.
Further casting to be announced
Tickets for SHOUT! went on pre-sale to Friends of Bradford Theatres on Monday 13 February. Tickets will go on general sale from Monday 20 February.
