Kara Lily Hayworth to play lead in Cilla The Musical

A graduate of Central School of Speech and Drama, has beaten  thousands to land the lead  role in an upcoming musical about Cill Black's life.  Kara Lily Hayworth  was among thousands of people who attended open auditions for the lead role in the tour of Cilla - The Musical earlier this year.  After training at Central,  Hayworth recently performed the led role of Satine in Secret Cinema’s Moulin Rouge!This is her first leading role in a musical.

The show is adapted from the ITV series Cilla which starred Sheridan Smith and was written by Jeff Pope. It is directed by Bill Kenwright and Bob Tomson and will open at the Liverpool Empire on September 7th  before touring the UK.

Black's eldest son, Robert Willis said: "We wanted somebody who wasn't going to impersonate my mum but someone who could capture her spirit. Kara came in with her huge personality and amazing voice – when I saw the response of the audience at the Cavern, I knew she was the one my mum would have wanted!"

Hayworth said: “When I was 11 I was shopping out with my mum and bumped into Cilla and asked her for an autograph. I told her I wanted to be an actress – she laughed and said ‘It’s a tough industry, but if you really work hard and go for it, you’ll be just fine.She was a huge inspiration to me as a child; I grew up watching her on Blind Date every Saturday night with my Nan. To be chosen to play her is such an honour and I’m so excited to take on the role. To open in her hometown of Liverpool is so special and a real privilege.”