More casting news for The Drifters Girl starring Beverley Knight

As previously announced West End leading lady Beverley Knight is to star in The Drifters Girl a new musical which will now open in  the West End in 2021. It 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 now start its run in 2021 at the Theatre Royal Newcastle from 9th-23rd October 2021 and then transfer to London's  Garrick Theatre from 4th November for a limited 20 week run to 26th March 2022 (Press Night: Thursday 25 November 2021 at 7:00pm).

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. She will be joined by Tosh Wanogho-Maud (Ben E. King), Tarinn Callender (Johnny Moore), Adam J. Bernard (George Treadwell) and Matt Henry (Clyde McPhatter).

Adam J Bernard exploded into the West End limelight when he originated the role of Jimmy ‘Thunder’ Early in Dreamgirls, for which he was awarded an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical.

Tarinn Callender originated the roles of Hercules Mulligan and James Madison in the West End production of the international musical phenomenon Hamilton. His other credits include the Olivier Award winning production of Come From Away. Award-winning actor, singer, songwriter and artist  

Matt Henry won an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance as Lola in Kinky Boots, for which he also received a Grammy Award nomination for the London cast recording. As a finalist on the BBC’s The Voice, Matt’s performance of Ray LaMontagne’s ‘Trouble’ racked up over four million hits on YouTube and the original ‘Trouble’ re-entered the UK charts that week, testament to Matt’s performance.  

Tosh Wanogho-Maud played Jimmy in the West End musical Dreamgirls. His other West End credits include Show Boat, The Book of Mormon and playing the role of Simba in The Lion King.   

The Drifters Girl is produced by Michael Harrison and David Ian.with a book by Ed Curtis, based on an idea by Tina Treadwell, and is co-created by Beverley Knight, Adam J Bernard, Tarinn Callender, Matt Henry and Tosh Wanogho-Maud. It will be directed by Jonathan Church, with set design by Anthony Ward, choreography by Karen Bruce, costume design by Fay Fullerton, orchestrations and musical supervision by Chris Egan lighting design by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Tom Marshall and video design by Andrzej Goulding. Associate Director is Tyrone Huntley and Associate Choreographer is Myles Brown.