Footballers’ Wives musical reveals cast

Casting has been announced for the upcoming musical, Footballers’ Wives.

Based on the ITV series, and set in 2002 when Premier League football was the new rock ‘n’ roll, the piece describes itself as a “sassy new musical comedy of waggish excess”.

Set to debut at the Edinburgh Fringe this summer, Footballers’ Wives has music and lyrics by Kath Gotts and a book by the original creator of the TV show, Maureen Chadwick. It will have choreography by WhatsOnStage Award winner Arlene Phillips and be directed by Anthony Banks.

Also in the creative team are associate choreographer Richard Roe, music director Gemma Hawkins, associate musical director Livs Needham, set and projection designer Andrzej Goulding, lighting designer Jamie Platt, sound designer Matt Peploe, production manager Mark Hartley, casting director Harry Bluemau, costume designer Susan Kulkarni and costume supervisor Sophie Fuller. Music supervision and orchestrations are by Joe and Nikki Davison of Auburn Jam Music.

Featuring in the cast are Ceili O’Connor as Tanya Turner, who is scheming to save her marriage and the career of her cheating husband, while Matt Beveridge will play team captain Jason Turner. India Chadwick will take on the role of glamour model Chardonnay Lane, and Tom Bowen will play her fiancé, Kyle Pascoe.

Leesa Tulley completes the cast as Donna Walmsley, with Oliver Evans as Ian Walmsley, Ty-Reece Stewart as Ronnie Charles/Marcello, Emma-Jane Fearnley as Kelly Charles/Magda, Laura Judge as Hazel Bailey/Jackie Pascoe, Matt Rixon as Frank Laslett, Leonardo Vieira as Salvo/Guru and Gillian Kirkpatrick as Nurse Dunkley.

Tulley commented that “Being from Scotland, performing at the Fringe has always been pretty high up on my bucket list, and I can’t think of a better show to be doing for my first time!”

She continued: “Footballers’ Wives is so 2000’s! All the drama and some really gorgeous songs… It’s going to be an amazing summer, I can’t wait!”

Chadwick called her character Chardonnay “an iconic character from a fabulous time in British pop culture,” adding, “I have some very big heels to fill, but I’m excited to bring some noughties naughtiness, fun and glamour to my first Edinburgh Fringe.”

The musical has been produced by special arrangement with Warner Bros Theatre Ventures.

It’ll play at the Assembly Rooms at the Fringe Festival from 30 July to 24 August (not 13) at 6:35pm.