Marti Pellow Plays Devil in Witches of Eastwick Tour

Former Wet Wet Wet lead singer Marti Pellow (pictured) will play the devilish Darryl Van Horne in the new touring production of The Witches of Eastwick, which opens on 25 August 2008 at the Theatre Royal Norwich before continuing, until 21 February 2009, to 14 further venues across the UK with further dates to be announced.

The Witches of Eastwick – based on the John Updike novel and the 1987 Hollywood film about three bored New England witches who conjure up a wicked lover – originally opened at the West End’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane in July 2000 before transferring to the Prince of Wales where it closed in October 2001 following the post-9/11 downturn (See News, 10 Oct 2001).

The musical has book and lyrics by John Dempsey and Dana Rowe. Its score includes “Eastwick Knows”, “Make Him Mine”, “Dirty Laundry”, “Dance With the Devil”, “I Love a Little Town” and “I Wish I May”. Jack Nicholson famously played Darryl Van Horne in the Hollywood film, which co-starred Cher, Michelle Pfeiffer and Susan Sarandon. The role was originated on the musical stage by Ian McShane.

Marti Pellow made his theatrical stage debut in June 2002 playing super-slick lawyer in the West End revival of Chicago (See News, 10 Jun 2002) and went on to perform the role around the world, including a stint on Broadway. Next month, he’ll appear in the much-anticipated 21st anniversary concert presentation of Chess at the Royal Albert Hall (See News, 29 Feb 2008).

Following Norwich, The Witches of Eastwick will visit Canterbury, Northampton, Bradford, Wimbledon, Stoke-on-Trent, Manchester, Plymouth, Woking, High Wycombe, Southampton, Wolverhampton, Sheffield, Edinburgh and Leeds, where the first leg of the schedule concludes.

– by Terri Paddock