The Stage

Osmond to star in Chicago UK tour

Published Tuesday 6 January 2009 at 10:55 by Lalayn Baluch

Jimmy Osmond is to star as Billy Flynn in the UK national tour of Chicago, which is set to open at the Alhambra in Bradford on March 9.

Osmond is currently booked to appear in the show until June 13, and will perform alongside EastEnders actress Emma Barton, who will take on the role of Roxie Hart.

Osmond is the youngest member of the famous Osmond family and in 1972, became the youngest person to top the singles charts with Long Haired Lover From Liverpool. He made his UK stage debut in Boogie Nights in Blackpool in 2004, and was subsequently a contestant on I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!. This month, he is making his West End stage debut in Grease for a six-week run.

Barton is best known for playing Honey Mitchell in EastEnders. Her stage credits include Peggy in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of the Secret Garden, Norma Cassidy in Victor/Victoria at the Bridewell Theatre and Marty in Grease at the Victoria Palace Theatre.

Chicago opened at the Adelphi Theatre in London in November 1997, and went on to win the Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Musical Production and Critics Circle Drama Award for Best Musical.

The touring version of the show is currently booking until June 13, but further dates and casting details will be announced shortly.