Aaron Sidwell and Luke Baker are among the performers set to join former X Factor contestant Amelia Lily in American Idiot when the Tony Award-winning musical begins its summer run at London’s Arts Theatre.
Featuring many of Green Day’s greatest hits, the production will bring its tale of three boyhood friends searching for meaning in a post 9/11 world to the venue from 17 July to 27 September.
Sidwell, who is best known for playing Steven Beale in EastEnders, returns to the London stage following roles in Loserville and Cool Rider Live, while Baker’s recent musical credits include Olivier Award-winning hit Sunny Afternoon and I Can’t Sing!.
The trio will be joined by a cast that includes everyone from stage regulars to popstars. The latter comes in the form of Son Of Dork’s Steve Rushton, with Natasha Barnes (Lend Me A Tenor The Musical, Gielgud Theatre), Alexis Gerred (Dreamboats And Petticoats, Playhouse Theatre), Robyn Mellor (Grease, Piccadilly Theatre) and Racquel Jones (Hairspray, Shaftesbury Theatre) all making their West End stage returns.
Completing the line-up are Llandyll Gove, Lucas Rush and Ross William Wild, who have appeared in touring productions of Saturday Night Fever, Jesus Christ Superstar and We Will Rock You respectively, and Natasha Karp (You Wont’s Succeed On Broadway If You Don’t Have Any Jews, Garrick Theatre).
American Idiot will begin its run, with Lily in the role of Whatsername, following the hugely successful residency of Joshua Harmon’s comedy Bad Jews, which closes on 11 July.
American Idiot will take part in West End LIVE and Kids Week. The former, which takes place this weekend, will give theatre fans the chance to see a snippet of the show on Saturday afternoon, while for older kids and their families Kids Week presents the opportunity to grab a free child’s ticket for every full priced ticket purchased for performances in August.