It's Official! Michael Ball to Star in New UK Production & Tour of MACK & MABEL

First reported back in November, it's now official that Michael Ball will return to Chichester this summer in a major new production of Mack & Mabel, directed by Jonathan Church, which opens at the Festival Theatre in July, followed by a UK tour from October.

Based on the true romance between Hollywood legends Mack Sennett and Mabel Normand, this musical comedy received eight Tony Award nominations when it opened on Broadway in 1974.

Michael Ball plays Mack Sennett. Recent credits include the BBC television drama That Day We Sang, which reunited him with Sweeney Todd co-star Imelda Staunton. Theatre credits include the title role in Sweeney Todd (Chichester's Festival 2011 and West End), Hairspray, LES MISERABLES, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Passion, Aspects of Love, The Woman in White and The Phantom of the Opera. Ball co-produced Chichester Festival 2010's West End transfer of Love Story. He also has a successful recording and broadcasting career, and will be embarking on a UK concert tour in Spring 2015.

Further casting is to be announced.

The production is directed by Jonathan Church, Chichester's Artistic Director. Chichester credits include Festival 2014's Taken at Midnight (also West End) and Amadeus, The Last Confession (Toronto, Los Angeles and Australia tour), Singin' in the Rain (also West End and tour), The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (also West End) and The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (also West End). Other credits include Of Mice and Men (West End and tour) and The Witches (West End and tour).

Choreography is by Stephen Mear, Chichester's Associate Choreographer. Chichester credits include Festival 2014's Gypsy (which transfers to the West End in March 2015), and Amadeus, as well as The Pajama Game (also West End) and Kiss Me, Kate (also The Old Vic). Other credits include West End productions of Shoes, Mary Poppins, Hello, Dolly!, Crazy for You and Anything Goes (National Theatre and West End).

Design is by Robert Jones whose Chichester credits include Festival 2014's Taken At Midnight (also West End), Kiss Me, Kate (also Old Vic) and Calendar Girls (also UK tour, Australia and Canada). Other credits include West End productions of A Chorus of Disapproval and Much Ado About Nothing.

Mack & Mabel will be at the Festival Theatre, Chichester from 13 July - 5 September. Further information, including booking dates and ticket prices, will be announced at the end of February. Visit cft.org.uk or contact the Box Office on 01243 781312 for more details.

Full details of Festival 2015 will be announced at the end of February.

UK tour

Thursday 1 October - Saturday 10 October

Plymouth Theatre Royal

Box Office: 01752 267222

Monday 12 - Saturday 24 October

Manchester Opera House

Box Office: 0844 871 3018

Tuesday 27 October - Saturday 7 November

Dublin BGE Theatre

Box Office: ROI: 0818 719 377 / UK & NI: 0844 847 2455

Tuesday 10 - Saturday 21 November

Edinburgh Playhouse

Box Office: 0844 871 3014

Monday 23 - Saturday 28 November

Nottingham Theatre Royal

Box Office: 0115 989 5555

Tuesday 1 - Sunday 6 December

Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre

Box Office: 029 2063 6464