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Hear’say Marsh Debuts in West End Saturday Night

Hear’say pop star Kym Marsh (pictured) will make her West End debut alongside EastEnders’ soap star Shaun Williamson in Saturday Night Fever (See News, 8 Apr 2004). The screen-to-stage musical returns to the West End this summer, opening at the Apollo Victoria on 6 July 2004, following previews from 2 July (See News, 31 Mar 2004).

At the start of 2001, Marsh, who will play Annette in the disco musical, was an unknown 24-year-old musician from Wigan. Twelve months later, she’d won the Pop Stars nationwide TV talent search and with her fellow winners, formed the band Hear’say and sold millions of records. In 2002, she left the band and a year later released her debut solo album “Standing Tall”. As a child, Marsh played the title role in Annie on stage.

The rest of the cast for Saturday Night Fever’s new West End season features tour stars Stephane Anelli (as Tony Manero) and Alex Jessop (Bobby C) as well as Zoe Ebsworth (Stephanie Mangano). Williamson plays sleazy DJ Monty.

The stage production of Saturday Night Fever had its world premiere at the West End's London Palladium in May 1998, marking the 21st anniversary of the release of the 1977 hit film, starring John Travolta, which effectively defined the disco age.

The story was adapted for the stage by the film's producer Robert Stigwood. It closed in the West End in February 2000 and embarked on a brief regional tour later that year. Another major tour, launched in March 2003 (See News, 12 Nov 2002), will finally conclude on 19 June 2004 in Rhyl, ahead of the West End transfer.

The stage musical features legendary Bee Gees songs from the original Grammy Award-winning motion picture soundtrack, including 'Staying Alive', 'Night Fever', 'Jive Talkin'' and 'How Deep is Your Love' as well as two songs - 'Immortality' and 'First and Last' - written especially for the stage production by the brothers Gibb.

Saturday Night Fever is presented by Adam Spiegel Productions. Currently at the Apollo Victoria, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production of Bollywood musical Bombay Dreams will finish on 13 June 2004, after a two-year run (See News, 24 Mar 2004).

- by Terri Paddock

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