Full casting announced for SPEND SPEND SPEND at Royal Exchange
Full casting has been announced for SPEND SPEND SPEND, which brings the unique story of football pools winner Viv Nicholson to life at the Royal Exchange from 23 November 2024 - 11 January 2025.
Directed by Josh Seymour and with a cast helmed by Rachel Leskovac (Olivier Award-nominated for her portrayal of the young Viv in the original 1999 London production), this wildly funny and profoundly moving award-winning musical is an extraordinary rags-to-riches and back again story.
Alongside Rachel Leskovac (Waterloo Road, BBC; Coronation Street, ITV) as Viv, Rose Galbraith (Cruel Intentions, The Other Palace; Sondheim’s Old Friends, West End) will play Young Viv, bringing the past to life, and West End legend Rebecca Thornhill (Singin’ in the Rain, National Theatre; Opening Night, West End) joins them to play Viv’s mother and Mrs Waterman.
Director Josh Seymour said: "SPEND SPEND SPEND is packed with hilarious and heartbreaking songs which will explode with energy when delivered by our brilliant cast and band. Audiences can expect a bittersweet rollercoaster of a story as we follow Viv through the highs and lows of life. She’s a great character to spend an evening with - wild, witty and warm.”
The men in Viv’s life impacted her greatly. Alex James-Hatton (Bonnie & Clyde, UK tour; Newsies, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre) plays her second husband Keith, who won the pools that day in 1961. Joe Alessi (Grenfell: In the Words of Survivors, National Theatre/St Anne’s Warehouse; Animal Crackers, Royal Exchange Theatre/UK Tour/Barbican/West End) joins the cast as her father George, and Lejaun Sheppard (42 Balloons, The Lowry; Come From Away, West End) plays Johnny Love.
The multitalented ensemble are comprised of Jamil Abbasi (101 Dalmatians, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Abigail Brodie (The Addams Family, London Palladium/UK tour), George Crawford (Waitress, UK tour), Ayesha Maynard (To Wong Foo, Hope Mill Theatre), Rachel Moran (& Juliet, UK tour/West End), Alfie Parker (Sister Act, UK tour), and Karen Wilkinson (Standing at the Sky’s Edge, West End).
Josh continues... “In the materialistic, image-centred culture of today, Viv’s story feels more relatable than ever - we're all at the mercy of the myth that money or fame will solve our problems. SPEND SPEND SPEND beautifully explores how it's not expensive holidays or fancy cars that give our lives meaning, but the deep-rooted connections with family and community that will truly endure the test of time.
“I'm honoured that this production will be a tribute to the legacy of our composer Steve Brown, who sadly passed away this year and I know audiences will fall in love with his thrilling music."
The creative team also includes designer Grace Smart, lighting designer Jack Knowles, sound designers Richard Brooker & Nick Lodge, choreographer & intimacy director Lucy Hind, music supervisor, arrangements & co-orchestrator Ben Ferguson, orchestral manager & co-orchestrator Matthew Malone, musical director Livi van Warmelo, and casting director Jim Arnold CDG.