Former Maria hopeful Siobhan Dillon is to take on the lead role of Sandy in Grease at the Piccadilly theatre from 25 January.
Dillon, who came into the public eye through the BBC’s first theatrical talent search How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? in 2006, will partner another reality show graduate, former Pop Stars contestant Noël Sullivan, who is currently playing Danny in the musical.
After coming third in the television show that propelled Connie Fisher into the role of Maria in The Sound of Music, Dillon made her West End debut in this production of Grease the following year, playing the role of Patty Simcox. She now returns to the Piccadilly theatre after recording two albums and appearing in the UK tours of Can’t Smile Without You and Cabaret.
This production of the popular musical opened in the West End in 1993, running for six years. It returned to London in 2007 following the ITV reality show Grease Is The Word which cast its leads, Susan McFadden and Danny Bayne.
Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey’s 1972 show is set among the final year students of Rydell High in 1950s America. New girl Sandy is surprised and delighted to find her holiday romance, Danny, is a student at the school. But she is soon to find that young love doesn’t run smooth. The soundtrack features the famous numbers You’re The One That I Want, Summer Nights, Greased Lightnin’ and Sandy.
Grease is now booking at the Piccadilly theatre to 4 September.
CB