Rock of Ages embarks on UK tour in May starring Ben Richards

Glam-rock musical Rock of Ages is embarking on a UK tour, opening at The Palace Theatre, Manchester on 5 May 2014.

Ben Richards will star as 'rock god' Stacee Jaxx, alongside Noel Sullivan as Drew Boley, with more casting to be announced soon.

Richards' stage credits include Sky Masterton in Guys and Dolls (West End and UK tour), Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever (West End and UK tour), and Jerry Lukowski in The Full Monty (West End). TV credits include Footballers Wives, The Bill and Holby City, and as a regular judge on the BBC’s Strictly Dance Fever.

Noel Sullivan, formerly of pop band Hear'say, is currently playing Tick in the UK and Ireland tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert and has previously starred as Galileo in We Will Rock You and Danny Zuko in Grease, both in the West End.

After Manchester, the show will tour to: Birmingham, Edinburgh, Torquay, Nottingham, Bromley, Bradford, Aylesbury, Bristol, Stoke, Liverpool, Sunderland, Glasgow, Brighton, Milton Keynes, Woking, York, Southampton, Dublin, Belfast, Hull, Cardiff, Oxford, Sheffield, Southend and Wimbledon.

Rock of Ages, which ran for three years in the West End from 2011 to 13, is written by Chris D’Arienzo, directed by Kristin Hanggi and choreographed by Kelly Devine.

Further casting for the tour will be announced soon.