Shane Richie joins West End Everybody's Talking About Jamie

Shane Richie will join the cast of Everybody's Talking About Jamie in 2019.

Richie, best known for playing Alfie Moon in EastEnders, will portray Hugo / Loco Chanelle in the production, and will perform from 28 January until 4 May 2019.

Speaking about joining the show, Richie said: "Everybody's Talking About Jamie is a terrific show so I jumped at the chance to play Hugo / Loco Chanelle. It's so different to any role I've played before and too good an opportunity to miss. I started my career in night clubs and cabaret pubs – the kind of world Hugo inhabits – where I met some wonderful characters. So in a sense I feel like I've met Hugo / Loco Chanelle before. I've had lots of ideas about how to portray the character and sing the songs. As for my dress and heels, hang onto your handbags!"

His stage credits include Grease (West End), One Flew over The Cuckoo's Nest (UK Tour) and
Scrooge: The Musical (UK Tour).

Everybody's Talking About Jamie, which first opened at Sheffield Crucible before transferring to the West End in late 2017, won the WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Musical earlier this year. It has songs by Dan Gillespie Sells with book and lyrics by Tom MacRae.

It's directed by Jonathan Butterell with design by Anna Fleischle, choreography by Kate Prince, lighting design by Lucy Carter, sound design by Paul Groothuis and musical direction by Theo Jamieson.