Update: Cabaret have now announced the casting of Michelle Ryan (Eastenders) in the role of Sally Bowles. Read more about it here.
Will Young, who rose to pop prince status after his victory as Pop Idol winner is to make his debut performance in the London’s infamous West End. Will is set to play the enigmatic Emcee, in Rufus Norris’ re-imaginining of Cabaret which won critical acclaim and was Olivier awarded in 2006.
Speaking about his new role, he said: “I am very excited about the challenge of choosing Cabaret as my first musical theatre role. The role of the Emcee is a part I have wanted to play since before I started training at Arts Education in Chiswick when I first moved to London. With Rufus and Javier I couldn’t wish for better people to be surrounded by.”
Since winning the first series of ITV’s reality television competition Pop Idol, the 33-year-old Young has received two Brit Awards and released six albums. His chart-topping singles include “Leave Right Now”, “Friday’s Child”, “Light My Fire” and “Evergreen”. He has since turned thespian, making his on-screen debut in 2005 in Mrs Henderson Presents alongside Dame Judi Dench, Bob Hoskins and Kelly Reilly and his professional stage debut in The Vortex at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre in 2007.
Since its Broadway premiere in 1966 and the famous movie version with Liza Minnelli and Oscar winner Joel Grey, Cabaret has won a staggering number of stage and screen awards including 8 Oscars, 7 BAFTAs and 13 Tonys. The new production, choreographed by Javier de Frutos, starts in September for an exclusive four-week tour visiting on Southampton, Nottingham, Norwich and Salford, before opening in London’s West End at the Savoy Theatre on 3rd October.
