News: Nina Wadia To Star In NOW That’s What I Call A Musical

March 13, 2024

Nina Wadia will star as Gemma in the world premiere of the new British musical, NOW That’s What I Call A Musical, by award-winning comedian Pippa Evans and directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood. NOW That’s What I Call A Musical will begin performances on the 6th September 2024 at Aylesbury’s Waterside Theatre before commencing on a major UK and Ireland Tour.

The production also promises special guest stars at certain performances, who will join Nina on stage. They will be playing themselves and singing the songs that made them NOW icons. Sinitta will perform in the opening venue in Aylesbury, Sheffield, Canterbury, Nottingham and Norwich with Sonia in Newcastle, Cardiff, Milton Keynes and Brighton, Carol Decker in Truro, Belfast and Woking and Jay Osmond in Bradford and Dartford.

Further guest stars and musical cast members are to be announced.

Nina said “I grew up listening to the NOW tapes so for me being a part of this musical is like going home. When I read the script I immediately fell in love with the characters and Pippa’s story. I can’t wait to get started on my first ever musical and to see you all there later this year.”

Sinitta said “The most exciting thing about being involved in this project is the music. Dust off your spandex, crimp your hair and I’ll see you there.”

Sonia said “We are going to take people back on a nostalgic road of all their favourite songs. Everybody has memories of where they were when that song was out and what they were doing.

Carol added “Being part of the musical is a real compliment. T’Pau are on several of the NOW albums, it’s part of my life, part of my career.”

Jay said “I am so excited to be back in the UK and performing live on stage in NOW That’s What I Call A Musical.’ My brothers and I were featured in many NOW albums over the years and it’s an honour to be asked to be a part of this brand-new show.”

Nina Wadia OBE is an award-winning actress renowned for her timeless sketch show Goodness Gracious Me, as well as her role as Zainab Massod in BBC1’S Eastenders. Nina has an extensive list of theatre, film and television credits including the Disney’s hit film Aladdin, Bleak Expectations at the Criterion Theatre in London’s West End and The Outlaws on BBC/Amazon Prime to name a few.

Get ready to relive the playlist of your life by celebrating 40 years of the iconic and chart-topping compilations brand NOW That’s What I Call Music. The fun-filled evening is bursting with hits from Whitney Houston, Wham!, Blondie and more.

It’s Birmingham, 1989. Two school friends, Gemma and April, are busy with very important business – planning their lives based on Number One Magazine quizzes and dreaming of snogging Rick Astley. Cut to Birmingham 2009 and it’s the most dreaded event of their lives– the school reunion. Drama, old flames and receding hairlines come together as friends reunite and everything from the past starts to slot into place. The biggest question is: what was with all that hairspray?

The creative team will include Set and Costume Design by Tom Rogers & Toots Butcher, Musical Supervision and Arrangements by Mark Crossland, Lighting Design by Ben Cracknell, Sound Design by Adam Fisher, Wigs & Hair Design by Sam Cox, Associate Direction by Guy Woolf, Associate Choreography by Aaron Renfree, Associate Sound Design by Ollie Durrant and Casting by Annelie Powell CDG.

NOW is produced by ROYO, Universal Music UK, SONY Music Entertainment and Mighty Village.

Tour Schedule

2024

6 – 7 September: Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

10 – 14 September: Sheffield Lyceum

17 – 21 September: Canterbury Marlowe Theatre

24 – 28 September: Nottingham Theatre Royal

1 – 5 October: Norwich Theatre Royal

8 – 12 October: Newcastle Theatre Royal

15 – 19 October: Bradford Alhambra Theatre

22 – 26 October: Dartford Orchard Theatre

29 October – 2 November: Cardiff New Theatre