Emma Williams Joins West Yorkshire's WHITE CHRISTMAS This Winter

The Daily Mail writes that Emma Williams has joined the company of Nikolai Foster's production of Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS, which runs at the West Yorkshire Playhouse 24 November 2014 - 17 January 2015. She joins previously announced Darren Day and Oliver Tompsett in the cast.

Williams has earned two Olivier nominations -- one for Zorro and the second for Love Story. She recently starred in the US tour of Annie Get Your Gun. In her professional stage debut, Williams won the Arts Correspondent Award for Best Newcomer for her performance in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium in 2002.

Directed by Foster (ANNIE, SHERLOCK HOLMES THE BEST KEPT SECRET) and taking centre stage in the Quarry theatre this winter, this original staging of Irving Berlin's iconic musical WHITE CHRISTMAS brings together an ensemble led by Day and Tompsett as entertainers Bob Wallace and Phil Davis.

Recently appointed as incoming Artistic Director of Curve Theatre, acclaimed director Nikolai Foster returns to the Playhouse following the critical and sell-out success of ANNIE which he innovatively re-approached in 2011. He returns with choreographer Nick Winstonto stage a new version of the Broadway classic, featuring a freshly orchestrated score by Tony Award-nominated composer Jason Carr which will be performed by a live seven-piece onstage band, inspired by jazz.

Since making his first starring appearance in JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, Darren Day has performed in seminal musicals internationally and in the West End. His extensive credits include lead roles in GREASE, COPACABANA and SUMMER HOLIDAY and touring shows ALFIE, CAROUSEL, GREAT EXPECTATIONS and WE WILL ROCK YOU. Darren will be joining the production direct from filming HOLBY CITY for the BBC.

Oliver Tompsett is one of the original London cast of WICKED, performing as Fiyaro until 2010. Oliver's West End credits include Tim Firth's Madness musical OUR HOUSE, MAMMA MIA!, originating the role of Drew in ROCK OF AGES and performing as Galileo in WE WILL ROCK YOU for which he was nominated a Whatsonstage award.

They're joined by an ensemble of accomplished musical performers including Holly Dale Spencer, Melanie La Barrie, Andrew Jarvis, James Darch, Kirby Hughes, Lucy Williamson, Michelle White, Moyo Akande, Robbie Boyle, Samuel Holmes, Sion Tudor Owen, Frankie Jenna, Simon Anthony and Matthew Hawksley.

Nikolai Foster directs this first major new UK production of the Broadway musical. WHITE CHRISTMAS follows the critical and audience successes of his bold new approach to ANNIE and A CHRISTMAS CAROL(Birmingham Rep/West Yorkshire Playhouse). Nikolai's numerous acclaimed theatre productions include CALAMITY JANE starring Jodie Prenger (Watermill Theatre) and the 20th anniversary production of Jonathan Harvey's BEAUTIFUL THING (national tour).

WHITE CHRISTMAS brings together a celebrated creative team including chorographer Nick Winston (ANNIE), Jason Carr (A CHRISTMAS CAROL) and Tony Award-nominated designerMatthew Wright. The production forms part of the Playhouse's widest offering for audiences this Christmas alongside a new production of Roald Dahl's JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH adapted by David Wood and the Lyric Hammersmith, Pins And Needles and West Yorkshire Playhouse co-production RAYMOND BRIGGS' FATHER CHRISTMAS.

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