A big festive musical treat for Royal Exchange audiences opens in November; SPEND SPEND SPEND brings the unique story of football pools winner Viv Nicholson to life this winter. Directed by Josh Seymour and with a cast helmed by Rachel Leskovac (Olivier Award-nominated for her portrayal of the young Viv in the original 1999 London production), this wildly funny and profoundly moving award-winning musical is an extraordinary rags-to-riches and back again story. This marvellous musical comedy with a huge heart runs at the Royal Exchange Theatre from 23 November 2024 to 11 January 2025.
Alongside Rachel Leskovac (WATERLOO ROAD, BBC; CORONATION STREET, ITV) as Viv, Rose Galbraith (CRUEL INTENTIONS, The Other Palace; SONDHEIM’S OLD FRIENDS, Sondheim Theatre) will play Young Viv, bringing the past to life. West End legend Rebecca Thornhill (SINGING IN THE RAIN, National Theatre; OPENING NIGHT, Gielgud Theatre) joins them to play Viv’s mother and Mrs Waterman.
The men in Viv’s life impacted her greatly. Alex James-Hatton (BONNIE & CLYDE, UK Tour; NEWSIES, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre) plays her second husband Keith, who won the pools that day in 1961. Joe Alessi (GRENFELL: IN THE WORDS OF SURVIVORS, National Theatre/St Anne’s Warehouse; ANIMAL CRACKERS, Royal Exchange Theatre/UK Tour/Barbican/West End) joins the cast as her father George, and Lejaun Sheppard (42 BALLOONS, The Lowry; COME FROM AWAY, Phoenix Theatre) plays Johnny Love.
The multitalented ensemble are comprised of Jamil Abbasi (101 DALMATIONS, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre; THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF, Noël Coward Theatre), Abigail Brodie (THE ADDAMS FAMILY, London Palladium/UK Tour; GUYS AND DOLLS, Savoy Theatre/Phoenix Theatre), George Crawford (WAITRESS, UK Tour; NEWSIES, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre), Ayesha Maynard (TO WONG FOO, Hope Mill Theatre; HAIRSPRAY, Kilworth House Theatre), Rachel Moran (&JULIET, UK Tour/West End; JUST FOR ONE DAY, Old Vic), Alfie Parker (SISTER ACT, UK Tour; JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, UK Tour) and Karen Wilkinson (STANDING AT THE SKY’S EDGE, Gillian Lynne Theatre; THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, His Majesty’s Theatre).
The creative team for SPEND SPEND SPEND also includes Designer Grace Smart, Lighting Designer Jack Knowles, Sound Designers Richard Brooker & Nick Lodge, Choreographer & Intimacy Director Lucy Hind, Music Supervisor, Arrangements & Co-Orchestrator Ben Ferguson, Orchestral Manager & Co-Orchestrator Matthew Malone, Musical Director Livi van Warmelo, Voice & Dialect Coach Natalie Grady, Casting Director Jim Arnold CDG, Birkbeck Assistant Director Elizabeth Laurence and Associate Director Nickie Miles-Wildin.
