Initial casting announced for Jackie the Musical

In the 1970s, Jackie magazine with its fashion, celebrity gossip and sage advice dolled out by Cathy and Claire - was the magazine of choice for a million teenagers a week.

When it printed its final edition in 1993, it was the end of an era.

The magazine is being turned into Jackie the musical, choreographed by former Strictly judge Arlene Phillips who will  work on an all-singing, all-dancing take on being a teenager in a world before the internet, mobile phones and ubiquitous celebrity.

Produced by Sally Wood (wife of Rolling Stone Ronnie). Written by Mike James and directed by Anna Linstrum,  Jackie: the Musical is based on the archives of the real Jackie using genuine problem pages, advice and storylines from the 1970s and 80s to recreate an era beloved by a generation of women, who bought 600,000 copies each week at the height of Jackie's powers. tells the story of a disillusioned 50 year old  recent divorcee (played by Janet Dibley) who rediscovers her lost joie de vivre in the magazine’s pages.Struggling with modern dating, she turns to her 15-year-old self and Jackie.

Janet Dibley plays 'Jackie'. She became a household name in the 1980s, co-starring with Nicholas Lyndhurst in ITV's primetime The Two of Us, playing 'Elaine Walker' for all four series. She went on to star as 'Lorna Cartwright' in Eastenders, Carol McGarry in four series of Kay Mellor's Fat Friends,Deborah Johnson' in The Chase and most recently as 'Chaz Moore', in Broadchurch. Janet joined the cast of the BBC soap Doctors in 2010 as series regular 'Dr Elaine Cassidy' a role she played for over two years, and which also saw her writing for the show. Her theatre roles include the 2014 tour of Kindertransport, Absent Friends and Could Be Any One of Us at Scarborough, 'Sarah' in Richard Eyre's National Theatre Production of Guys and Dolls and 'Julie Jordan' in Stephen Pimlott's Carousel at the Manchester Royal Exchange.

Graham Bickley plays 'John' and Nicholas Bailey plays 'Max'. Graham Bickley became a household name playing 'Joey Boswell' in Carla Lane's much loved BBC TV series Bread. He has starred in a host of hit West End musicals, including Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, Sunset Boulevard and Ragtime, for which received an Olivier Award nomination. He regularly appears with the BBC Concert Orchestra in concert halls across the country

Best known for his role as 'Anthony Trueman' in EastEnders, Nicholas Bailey was most recently seen on stage in the critically acclaimed production The Invisible at the Bush Theatre, London. Other television work includes Siblings and Doctors, whilst past credits include Anubis House, Miranda and Law & Order: UKwith

More casting news to follow.

 It  will feature  the music of then-favourite pop idols including Donny Osmond, David Cassidy and Marc Bolan.

Jackie the Musical had a well-received two week trial run in Dundee two years ago..  and is now due to go on tour next year. Below are the dates we have so far with more casting news and venues  (including Coventry, Bromley, Brighton, Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and Glasgow) to be added to take it up until next November.

Gardyne Theatre, Dundee
11 and 12 March 2016

The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
29 March- 02 April

King's Theatre, Edinburgh
12 - 16 April 2016

Perth Concert Hall
26 - 30 April 2016