Theatre News

Denise Van Outen pulls out of Big the Musical

Jessica Martin will replace the actress in the role of Mrs Baskin

Denise Van Outen
Denise Van Outen
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage

Denise Van Outen will no longer star in the upcoming production of Big the Musical.

Producers announced today that the actress will no longer play Mrs Baskin, due to "unforeseen circumstances". Jessica Martin will now take on the role, opening in the show on 5 November at the Plymouth Theatre Royal. The show then tours to Bord Gais Energy Theatre.

Martin joins the already announced The Wanted singer Jay McGuiness, as well as Diana Vickers, Susan Lawrence and Gary Wilmot.

Martin's previous credits include TV such as Copycats and Spitting Image as well as Me and My Girl, Sunset Boulevard and Mack and Mabel on the West End.

Big is a new musical adaptation of the 1988 film starring Tom Hanks, which tells of a teenager who wishes he was big and is transformed into an adult overnight.

The show opened on Broadway in 1996 and has songs written by David Shire and Richard Maltby and a book by John Wiedman. Morgan Young will direct.

Big the Musical opens at the Theatre Royal Plymouth on 5 to 12 November.