Following the sad news that Denise Van Outen‘s return to Chicago has been delayed due to a stress fracture in her ankle, the happy news that Laura Tyrer will be joining the cast as Velma Kelly in her place from 24 September to 6 October has been announced.
Laura landed the role of the showgirl-cum-murderer Velma via an audition on ITV’s The Big Audition. The role-getting audition will be available to watch during the brand new show’s run which begins next month.
Laura’s no stranger to the West End. Her credits include Matilda, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, From Here To Eternity, Cabaret, Spamalot, and most recently Ruthless!
The rest of the star-studded cast include Alexandra Burke as Roxie Hart, Duncan James as Billy Flynn, Mazz Murray as Mama Morton, and Paul Rider as Amos Hart.
Based on Maurine Dallas Watkins’ 1926 play of the same name, Chicago tells the story of two rival performers – and murderers – locked up in the same County Jail, and satirises corruption within the criminal justice system.
It originally ran in London for 15 years, making it the West End’s longest-running revival. After a five-and-a-half year break, it returned to London earlier this year. It still plays on Broadway where it’s celebrated its 21st birthday last year, making it the longest-running American musical in the world.
Chicago is booking until 5 January 2018.