Full Casting Announced For West End Transfer Of Chichester's The Pajama Game At The Shaftesbury Thea

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Full casting has been announced for the West End transfer of Chichester Festival Theatre's production of The Pajama Game. The musical begins previews at the Shaftesbury Theatre from 2nd May ahead of an official opening on 13th May. Directed by Richard Eyre, The Pajama Game runs until 13th September 2014.

Peter Polycarpou and Colin Stinton will reprise their roles as Vernon Hines and Hasler, with Gary Wilmot taking over the role of Vernon Hines from 2nd June. They join the previously announced Joanna Riding and Michael Xavier. 

 
The cast also features: Alexis Owen Hobbs (Gladys), Claire Machin (Mabel), Siôn Lloyd (Max), Jennie Dale (Mae), Sharon Wattis (Poopsie), Keisha Amponsa Banson (Brenda), Lauren Varnham (Charlene), Jo Morris (Rita), Nolan Frederick (Charley), Richard Jones (Frank), Dan Burton (Earl) and James O’Connell (Joe).
 
In 1950s America, love is in the air at the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory as handsome new Superintendent Sid Sorokin (Michael Xavier) falls head-over-heels for firebrand Union rep Babe Williams (Joanna Riding). Sparks fly when the employees are refused a seven-and-a-half cents raise, leaving Sid and Babe deliciously at odds as the temperature rises. . . Will love, eventually, conquer all?
 
Joanna Riding is a double Olivier Award winning actress, currently receiving rave reviews for her performance as Valerie Hobson in Stephen Ward (Aldwych Theatre). West End regular Michael Xavier has gained Olivier nominations for his performances as Oliver in Love Story (Duchess Theatre) and Cinderella’s Prince / The Wolf in Into The Woods (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre).
 
Peter Polycarpou has had a hugely varied career spanning over 30 years in in theatre, film television and radio. His most recent work includes playing Inspector Messiter in The Magistrate (National), Beadle Bamford in Sweeney Todd (West End) and Love Story alongside Michael Xavier (Duchess Theatre). Gary Wilmot made his West End musical debut playing Bill Snibson in Me and My Girl and has since performed in Copacabana, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Goodbye Girl and played the iconic roles of Fagin in Oliver! and Billy Flynn in Chicago.
 
Colin Stinton was most recently seen on stage in The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Chichester Festival Theatre and Duchess Theatre), he has performed in numerous National Theatre productions including: Mother Courage and Her Children, Death Of A Salesman, Guys and Dolls and Speed-The-Plow. He has also worked extensively in New York.
 
Andrew Tomlins

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