More casting has been revealed for the upcoming U.K. concert production of Nine, set to perform at Manchester's The Lowry, Salford February 1-2, 2025. The concert, celebrating the ninth birthday of Hope Mill Theatre, will star Ramin Karimloo as Guido Contini as previously announced.
And joining the Broadway favorite will be Ruthie Henshall as Liliane la Fleur, Zizi Strallen (Mary Poppins) as Carla, Amber Davies (Pretty Woman) as Stephanie, Josefina Gabrielle (Les Misérables) as Guido's Mother, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt (Hex) as Luisa, Melissa James (Moulin Rouge!) as Claudia, and Danielle Steers (Bat Out of Hell) as Sarraghina. Casting is by Jim Arnold.
Hope Mill founders William Whelton and Joseph Houston are co-directing the performances of the work, which features a book by Arthur Kopit and a score by Maury Yeston. The production will include the song "Cinema Italiano," written by Yeston for the musical's 2009 film adaptation. Hope Mill's concert will be the first production of the work to interpolate the song into the original stage score.
"We are beyond thrilled to finally share our line up of leading women joining the cast of Nine in concert, and what a line up," says Houston in a statement. "Along with our casting director Jim Arnold, we have assembled the very best in British musical theatre, including many legends of the stage. The story of Nine relies on its strong female stories of perseverance, strength, heartbreak, loss, and the many facets of love, and we could not have dreamed of such an exceptional group of women bring this story to life. Alongside the wonder that is Ramin Karimloo as Guido, I think this will be a very special concert and one not to be missed.”
The concert will feature set design by Justin Williams, lighting design by Aaron Dootson, sound design by Nick Lodge, choreography by Lucy Spencer, costume design by Lorraine Parry, music supervision by Katy Richardson, additional orchestrations by William Parker, music direction by Joseph Clayton, and video design by Matt Powell.
Based on the Oscar–winning Federico Fellini film 8 ½, Nine was originally directed by Tommy Tune and opened in 1982, subsequently winning five Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score.
In the musical, director Guido Contini, suffering from “director’s block” on his latest film and from a strained marriage to the neglected Luisa, retreats into his mind, where a parade of women—lovers past and present—bombard his senses and throw reality into question.
Whelton and Rhianna Swyer produce for Hope Mill Theatre.
Click here for ticket information.
