Cilla – The Musical

Celebrating one of Britain’s most beloved entertainers, Cilla – The Musical is hitting the road to tour the UK. Dates are planned through spring 2018, with stops in York, Bristol, Oxford, Dublin, Bristol, Norwich, Aylesbury, Chester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Dartford and more.

Directed by Bill Kenwright and Bob Tomson, the musical follows the story of Cilla Black, from her humble start to her rise to fame.

From the BAFTA Award winner Jeff Pope, Cilla – The Musical is a heart-warming rendition of the ITV television series, which tells the tale of the teen from Liverpool who had big dreams of stardom. By the age of 25, Cilla Black, singer and TV star, had become one of the best-selling British artists of the time.

Audiences will love the musical tribute to the 60s, with the beloved hits “Alfie,” “Anyone Who Had a Heart,” “California Dreamin,” “Twist and Shout,” and “Something Tells Me.”

After weeks of open auditions, the producers of the show found their star: Kara Lily Hayworth. Kara, a dear fan of Cilla, competed against thousands of hopefuls to land the role of Cilla.

Kara trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama. Her most recent performance was in Moulin Rouge (Secret Cinema). Her role as Cilla Black is her first major role in a big musical, and her first time touring.

Other cast members include:

• Carl Au as Bobby.
• Pauline Fleming as Big Cilla.
• Andrew Lancel as Brian Epstein.
• Neil MacDonald as John White.
• Billie Hardy as Pat.
• Tom Dunlea as Johnny Hutchinson.
• Bill Caple as Ringo Starr.
• Amy Bridges as Rose Willis.
• Tom Christian as Kenny Willis.
• Alex Harford as George Harrison.
• Michael Hawkins as John Lennon.
• Alan Howell as Gerry Marsden.
• Christopher Weeks as John Gustafson.
• Jenny Murphy as Beryl.
• Joshua Gannon as Paul McCartney.
• Will Kinnon as Daniel.
• Jay Osborne as Adrian Barber.
• Gemma Broderick as Pauline.

Cilla Black began her career in 1963. Her singles “You’re My World” and “Anyone Who Had a Heart” both reached number one in the UK in 1964. Over the next seven years, Cilla had 11 Top Ten Hits on the UK charts and eight singles that made the Top 40.

Along with a successful career as a singer, Cilla also hosted her own variety show in the 1960s and 1970s. She spent a brief time acting in comedies before becoming a well-known television presenter in the 1980s and 1990s. She hosted the shows The Moment of Truth, Blind Date and Surprise Surprise.

Cilla celebrated 50 years in show business in 2013.