The Menier's 2010 run of the play subsequently transferred to the West End's Trafalgar Studios. It will now star Claire Sweeney in the title role of the Liverpudlian hairdresser Rita, with Matthew Kelly as Dr. Frank Bryant, the university tutor she studies English literature with through the Open University.

The production will be directed by Tamara Harvey, designed by Tim Shortall, with lighting design by Paul Anderson.

Sweeney has previously starred in the West End as Roxie Hart in Chicago at the Adelphi Theatre and as Adelaide in Guys and Dolls at the Piccadilly, opposite the late Patrick Swayze. Most recently she toured as Paulette in Legally Blonde and in a new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black's Tell Me on a Sunday. On TV, she has starred as Lindsey Corkill in "Brookside," as Katrina in "Clocking Off," Roz in "Merseybeat" and Amanda in "Candy Cabs."

Kelly has worked in major regional theatres across the country, the West End and on television. He won an Olivier Award for Best Actor for his role as Lennie in Birmingham Rep's production of Of Mice And Men that transferred to the Old Vic and West End. He has recently played Professor Callaghan in the UK tour of Legally Blonde, starred in Sam Shepard's Buried Child (Leicester Curve), Pozzo in Waiting for Godot opposite Ian McKellen and Roger Rees (Theatre Royal, Haymarket), King Arthur in the UK tour of Spamalot and West End seasons of Sign of the Times (Duchess Theatre) and Lend Me a Tenor - the Musical (Gielgud).

To book tickets, contact the box office on 020 7378 1713, or visit www.menierchocolatefactory.com for more details.