The Stage

Little Voice to return to West End with X Factor’s Vickers

Published Friday 10 July 2009 at 14:02 by Alistair Smith

X-Factor performer Diana Vickers is to star in a new West End production of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice this October.

Jim Cartwright’s Olivier Award-winning play, which will run at the Vaudeville Theatre from October 8, premiered at the National Theatre in 1992. The new production will be directed by Terry Johnson and is being produced by Nica Burns.

Burns commented: “There was no question of reviving this fabulous play in the West End until we had found our Little Voice. When Jim Cartwright, who originally wrote The Rise and Fall of Little Voice for Jane Horrocks, told me he had found the perfect girl - and then dragged me off to Wembley to see Diana Vickers perform as part of the X Factor tour, I thought he’d gone mad! But when I saw Diana I knew immediately he was right; she has a special quality. When she finally agreed - after much persuasion - to come in and read for us, we found out that not only can she sing but she was an intuitive actress as well.

“We are extremely grateful to Diana’s record company for allowing her a break from recording her debut album to take on this exciting role in the West End. I know it wasn’t part of her career plan after the X Factor, but we are delighted she agreed to do it - even if it meant wearing my knees out begging her!”

Vickers was born in Burnley, Lancashire - “the sort of town where the play is set”, according to producers. She was an entrant on X Factor in 2008 and her journey saw her survive nine weeks of live shows. She recently signed a record deal to RCA records and her debut album is due for release early 2010.

Further casting and full creative team will be announced soon.