Initial casting announced for Jackie the Musical

A UK tour has been announced for Jackie – The Musical which will open in Dundee in March 2016.

Starring Eastenders and Doctors star Janet Dibley as Jackie, Eastenders actor Nicholas Bailey as Max and Les Miserables star Graham Bickley as John, Jackie – The Musical is set in the 70s and 80s and tells the story of a fifty-something divorcée who revisits her stash of well-thumbed Jackie magazines for advice on how best to navigate the opposite sex.

Directed by Anna Linstrum, the musical will feature live versions of the era's hits including songs from Donny Osmond, David Cassidy and Marc Bolan.

The production is written by Mike James and choreographed by Arlene Phillips.

Former Jackie editor Nina Myskow, who is involved in the project, commented: "I'm so proud to have been editor of Jackie in its golden years in the 70s. It always was a girl's best friend, but I could never have imagined then that its spirit of fun and warmth would live on to become a musical today. It's such a brilliant idea, and I'm absolutely thrilled that I'm going to be involved, all over again. How exciting!"

Jackie – The Musical opens at the Gardyne Theatre in Dundee on 11 March before touring to Coventry, Bromley, Bradford, Brighton, Edinburgh, Blackpool, High Wycombe, Manchester, Birmingham, Wimbledon, Dartford, Malvern, Liverpool, Aberdeen and Glasgow. Further dates are yet to be announced.