Is Kerry Ellis the Next West End Nancy???

According to several online sources, Whatsonstage.com Award winner Kerry Ellis (Wicked, We Will Rock You) is being lined up to take over from Jodie Prenger as Nancy in the current West End production of Oliver! at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

A Twitter update from 'resource website' kerryellisweb.co.uk reads: "More Oliver! rumours ... It will be officially announced on Friday this week (27 November) that Kerry Ellis is the next Nancy ... Stay tuned." Meanwhile, a post on gossip blog Wussey.com reports that it is now "confirmed" that she has been cast.

It's not known exactly when a casting change might occur, though Prenger, who won the role through TV casting series I'd Do Anything in 2008, recently extended her contract until March 2010 (See News, 15 Sep 2009).

Oliver! is directed by Rupert Goold, based on Sam Mendes’ 1994 staging at the London Palladium. It achieved record-breaking advance sales before it opened at the Theatre Royal in January, with Rowan Atkinson joining Prenger in the cast as Fagin. Atkinson has since been replaced by fellow comic Omid Djalili, with Griff Rhys Jones due to take over on 14 December.

- by Rowena Betts - Theatregoer Reporter

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