Some exciting news is whirling round the West End… It has been confirmed that Matt Cardle will star as Huey Calhoun in Memphis the Musical
Matt Cardle and Beverley Knight will star alongside each other at the Shaftesbury Theatre
As Killian Donnelly leaves the Memphis cast to join Kinky Boots, Matt Cardle, the chart topping 2010 X Factor winner, will join Beverley Knight in the award-winning musical.
Cardle will start playing Huey Calhourn from 6 July 2015. The 32-year-old spoke of his excitement to be performing on the London stage.
“I’m thrilled to be making my acting and West End debit in Memphis,” said Cardle.
Matt Cardle was working on his fourth album when he received an invitation by the Memphis team to see the production.
The musician spoke of how he identified with the character of Huey, who through passionate persistence eventually reached out to a mainstream audience. Matt Cardle says he could relate to Huey’s struggles as he too had worked as a musician for so many years without the break he was looking for.
“From the first time I saw the show I felt I had a real connection with the character of Huey. It’s no secret that I worked for many years before my breakthrough as a musician.”
Beverley Knight, who plats Felicia Farrell in the hit musical, also shared her delight of working alongside Cardle in Memphis. Early plans are said to be “in progress” for a major UK and Irish tour next year.
“I can’t wait to continue my Memphis journey into the autumn with Matt – who will be a fantastic addition to our Memphis family. We all know he has a ‘fantastical’ voice; I think many will be wonderfully surprised by his ability on stage.”
Memphis the Musical is currently running at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Early plans for a UK and Ireland tour of the musical are said to be “in progress”.
