She replaces Katherine Kingsley, who originated the role at Chichester in 2011 and its subsequent transfer to the Palace last February.
Adam Cooper continues as Don Lockwood, with Louise Bowden and Stephane Annelli also joining to play Kathy Selden and Cosmo Brown, respectively, completing the iconic trio made famous by Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Conner in the 1952 MGM musical film. The principal cast also features Sandra Dickinson, who continues as Dora Bailey and Miss Dinsmore, and Peter Forbes as RF Simpson.
The new cast also features Mark Hadfield, David Lucas and Frankie Jenna with Karen Aspinall, Emma Caffrey, Matthew Croke, Brendan Cull, Adam Denman, Kelly Ewins-Prouse, Charlene Ford, Olivia Fines, Tim Hodges, Nia Jermin, Peter Le Brun, Matthew Malthouse, Adam Margilewski, Oliver Metzler, Gillian Parkhouse, Joseph Prouse, Charlotte Scott, Zara Warren and Nancy Wei George.
Ellison was most recently seen as Paulette in Legally Blonde the Musical on a UK tour. Her previous West End stage credits include Boeing Boeing at the Comedy Theatre and Chicago at the Adelphi Theatre. On TV she has been seen as Emily Shadwick in "Brookside," in Lynda La Plante's "The Commander: Abduction," "Hotel Babylon" and "The Verdict." She played Meg Giry in the film version of "The Phantom of the Opera." She also reached the semi-finals on ITV's "Dancing on Ice" and won the first ever series of Gordon Ramsay's "Hell's Kitchen."
In a press statement, she commented, "'Singin in the Rain' is one of my absolute favourite movie musicals, I watched it a lot growing up! When I saw the show I left with the biggest grin on my face and a huge spring in my step. Playing any West End role is a thrill and a privilege but to be playing Lina Lamont at the Palace Theatre in this show is pretty much as good as it gets. I'm so happy to be joining this amazing hit production as it celebrates its one year anniversary." Bowden's theatre credits include White Christmas, Mary Poppins and Mamma Mia! on tour in the UK, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Ragtime for the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park, We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre and Guys and Dolls at the Piccadilly Theatre.
Annelli has previously been seen in the West End in Legally Blonde the Musical, Saturday Night Fever and Sinatra. He recently appeared in Ragtime and A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park.
To book tickets, which are on sale through Sept. 1, contact the box office on 0844 412 4656 or visit www.singinintherain.co.uk for more details.
