Casting Announced for Take That Musical Never Forget

By John Nathan
08 Jun 2007

Casting has been confirmed for Never Forget, the new musical based on the boy band Take That that will receive its world premiere at Cardiff's Millenium Centre on July 20, followed by a regional tour and a run in London.

The cast includes Dean Chisnall (The Woman in White, Evita), Craige Els (currently appearing in the London production of Spamalot), Eaton James (Miss Saigon and Les Misérables), Stephanie Anelli (Saturday Night Fever) and Belgian performer Tim Driesdan, who has a boy-band past with the Belgian group The Bubbles, described as that country's equivalent of S Club 7. More recent credits include Bat Boy and Mamma Mia!.

In March Take That issued a statement lambasting plans for the musical based on their songs that was made without their knowledge.

Featuring a book by television writer Danny Brocklehurst ("Shamless" and "Clocking Off"), Never Forget is described as a "feel-good comedy" and follows the story of a fictional Take That tribute band.

Record label EMI reportedly licensed the songs to producers Tristan Baker and Bronia Buchanan in 2005. Take That's statement said, "The band would like to state categorically that this production is being undertaken with neither their involvement nor their endorsement. They would wish their fans and the public to know that this production is absolutely and 100 per cent nothing to do with Take That."

In another statement Baker said, "We are the biggest fans of Take That's music and we are so excited about the wonderful opportunity to create a new musical based on the fantastic catalogue of their work. We look forward to creating a legacy with these well-loved songs in the way that shows such as Mamma Mia has done before."

Never Forget is directed by Ed Curtis and choreographed by Karen Bruce. Venue and dates for the London production have yet to be announced.