Lee Mead, Martin Kemp & Jason Manford to star in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Casting has been announced for the 2016-17 UK tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang which opens at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton on 10th February 2016 (tour dates below).

Caractacus Potts will be played by Jason Manford (The Producers/ Sweeney Todd) from 10th February until 24th April. He will return to the show from 5th October 2016. 

Lee Mead (Any Dream Will Do/Legally Blonde) will play Caractacus Potts from 4th May until 18th September 2016. 

Martin Kemp (EastEnders/Spandau Ballet) will play the Childcatcher and Amy Griffiths (Everyman/Stephen Ward) will play Truly Scrumptious, both until 24th April 2016.

Sneak peek at... The Producers UK Tour starring Jason Manford

Production images have been released for UK Tour of The Producers which officially opens in Bromley tonight (11th March 2015). Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge).

The musical stars Jason Manford as Leo Bloom, Cory English as Max Bialystock, Tiffany Graves as Ulla, David Bedella as Roger De Bris and Louie Spence as Carmen Ghia (until 2 May). Ross Noble and Phill Jupitus alternate the role of Franz Liebkind. 

Abigail Brodie, Jaye Elster, Rebecca Fennelly, Olivia Fines, Andrew Gordon-Watkins, Fenton Gray, Aime Hodnett, Paul Hutton, Nia Jermin, Joel Montague, Genevieve Nicole, Tosh Wanogho-Maud, Jay Webb, Russell Wilcox and Aron Wild complete the cast. 

GOSSIP: Could The Producers transfer to the West End in the Autumn?

During an interview with Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford on ITV's This Morning earlier today (24th Feb), Jason Manford revealed that The Producers could transfer to the West End in the Autumn.

Manford (pictured right) plays Leo Bloom in the musical which begins a new UK Tour next month in Bromley.

The comedian, who made his West End debut as Pirelli in Sweeney Todd, said, "We finish mid-July doing the regions and then we're off, hopefully, to the West End in the Autumn."

The cast of The Producers also includes: Cory English as Max Bialystock, Tiffany Graves as Ulla, David Bedella as Roger De Bris and Louie Spence as Carmen Ghia (until 2 May). Ross Noble and Phill Jupitus alternate the role of Franz Liebkind.

Full casting confirmed for The Producers 2015 UK Tour

Full casting has been announced for the 2015 UK Tour of The Producers which begins in March.

The cast is led by Jason Manford as as Leo Bloom. Broadway and West End star Cory English reprises his role as Max Bialystock. Tiffany Graves joins the company as Ulla.

Ross Noble and Phill Jupitus share the role of Franz Liebkind. Olivier Award winning actor David Bedella (pictured right) will play Roger De Bris. Renowned dancer, choreographer and television personality Louie Spence plays Carmen Ghia (until 2 May).

Ross Noble joins cast of The Producers 2015 UK Tour

It has been announced that Ross Noble (pictured right) will make his musical theatre debut in the 2015 UK Tour of The Producers. He joins the previously announced Jason Manford and Louie Spence.

Noble joins the cast of The Producers from Monday 18th May as Franz Liebkind; the short fused, carrier pigeon keeping, former Nazi, brought on board by Max Bialystok and Leo Bloom (Jason Manford) to help them in their plot to put on the worst musical of all time.

Ross Noble has been performing as a stand-up comedian since the age of 15. He has unveiled a new sell-out show every year for the last 15 years. He joins The Producers fresh from his UK and Australian tour Tangentleman.

Noble said: "I am very excited about appearing in The Producers. I am a huge fan of the show and for anyone who loves comedy, the chance to perform the work of Mel Brooks is amazing!"

Louie Spence joins Jason Manford in 2015 UK Tour of The Producers

It has been announced that Louie Spence will star in the 2015 UK Tour of The Producers. He joins the previously announced Jason Manford. 

The UK Tour begins performances at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley on Friday 6th March 2015. Spence will play Carmen Ghia (Roger De Bris’ flamboyant assistant) until Saturday 2nd May.

Discussing his new role, Spence said: "I cannot wait to get into rehearsal and in theatres across the country with The Producers, I’m hugely excited to be part of the company and to be working with such an incredible creative team."

Manford, who plays downtrodden accountant Leo Bloom, said: "I've worked with Louie a few times and I literally couldn't think of a performer more suited to play Carmen Ghia. He's a fantastic dancer and he knows how to get the laughs."

CONFIRMED: Jason Manford stars in UK Tour of The Producers

It has been confirmed that comedian Jason Manford will star in a brand new UK Tour of The Producers. 

Based on Mel Brooks’ beloved Academy Award winning movie, The Producers is described as "a hilarious musical comedy". The show famously ran in the West End and on Broadway to tremendous acclaim, It won a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards and 3 Olivier Awards. The UK Tour begins performances at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley on Friday 6th March 2015.

Manford said; “I’m so thrilled to be starring in my favourite musical of all time. Mel Brooks is a genius and I’m so excited to be playing the iconic role he created. The show is a riot of laughs from start to finish.”