Spend Spend Spend at the Royal Exchange Theatre
Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
Always a top pick in our festive calendar, a trip to the Royal Exchange Theatre at Christmas is an absolute must. This year, the team present Spend Spend Spend, a carnivalesque musical comedy based on the true story of Yorkshire lass and Football Pools fortune-winner, Viv Nicholson.
Directed by Josh Seymour, this year’s Christmas show is an award-winning musical charting Viv Nicholson’s real-life rags-to-riches and back-again story. The production follows working-class Viv, her Football Pool win of 1961 and the lavish spending sprees that followed.
It’s all furs, cars, champagne and parties…until it comes crashing down around her. Addicted to excess and seduced by materialism, Viv finds herself facing the ultimate question: can money really buy happiness?
Stepping into the leading role is Rachel Leskovac (Waterloo Road, BBC), who was nominated for an Olivier Award for her portrayal of the young Viv in the original London production. Meanwhile, Rose Galbraith (Sondheim’s Old Friends, Sondheim Theatre) will bring the past to life as Young Viv, and West End legend Rebecca Thornhill (Singing in the Rain, National Theatre) will play Viv’s mother and Mrs Waterman.
The men in Viv’s life will be realised by Alex James-Hatton, her second husband and Football Pools jackpot winner, Keith; Joe Alessi as her father, George and Lejaun Sheppard as Johnny Love. The cast is completed by a talented ensemble of seven.
Directed Josh Seymour told us, “The production is packed with hilarious and heartbreaking songs which will explode with energy when delivered by our brilliant cast and band. Audiences can expect a bittersweet rollercoaster of a story as we follow Viv through the highs and lows of life. She’s a great character to spend an evening with – wild, witty and warm.”
Every year, the Royal Exchange Theatre deliver a production with the perfect alchemy of humour and heart, and this year is no different. Wildly witty and profoundly moving, this Northern story is set to lift hearts this festive season.
