Beverley Knight to star in new musical The Drifters Girl

It has been announced this morning that West End leading lady Beverley Knight is to star in The Drifters Girl a new musical opening in  the West End Autumn 2020 which tells  the remarkable story of THE DRIFTERS, one of the world’s greatest vocal groups, and the truth about the woman who made them.

Produced by Michael Harrison and David Ian the show will run at the Theatre Royal Newcastle from September 5th-19th 2020 (booking opens  4th Nov at 09:00) then transfer to London's  Garrick Theatre from October 1st for a limited 20 week run.

BEVERLEY KNIGHT (Sylvia, Cats and The Bodyguard) stars as Faye Treadwell, the legendary manager of THE DRIFTERS. She was the world's first African American, female music manager and widow of the group's co-founder George Treadwell. Faye continued to manage the band after George's death in 1967 and fought for three decades to turn Atlantic Records' hottest vocal group into a global phenomenon. From the highs of hit records and sell out tours to the lows of legal battles and personal tragedy, THE DRIFTERS GIRL charts the trailblazing efforts of the world’s first African American, female music manager and how she refused to ever give up on the group she loved. Thirty years, and hundreds of hit songs later, there is no doubt that Faye Treadwell was and always will be, The Drifters Girl.

The musical will be directed by Jonathan Church (Singin' In The Rain), with a book by Ed Curtis, design by Anthony Ward, choreography by Karen Bruce, lighting design by Ben Cracknell and music supervision and orchestrations by Chris Egan. Further casting and the full creative team will be announced at a later date.

With an  soundtrack of some of the most iconic songs in history, including SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME, UNDER THE BOARDWALK, KISSIN’ IN THE BACK ROW OF THE MOVIES, STAND BY ME, COME ON OVER TO MY PLACE and SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES.

Tickets are available from 10:00am today.