Kara Lily Hayworth Will Play Cilla In World Premiere of CILLA - THE MUSICAL

Following weeks of open auditions at venues up and down the country - the producers of CILLA - THE MUSICAL have found their star. KARA LILY HAYWORTH has fought off thousands of hopefuls to be named as the girl who will step into the Legend's coveted shoes in the first ever musical about the star's life.

Cilla - The Musical, is a spectacular and heart-warming musical adaptation of the critically acclaimed ITV mini-series based on the early life of Cilla Black, by BAFTA award winner, Jeff Pope (The Moorside, Philomena, From The Cradle To The Grave, Mrs Biggs). The new musical, opens in Cilla's hometown at the Liverpool Empire from Thursday 7th - 16th September before embarking on a nationwide tour.

Kara queued for four hours at London's Dominion Theatre to have her chance to audition in the first rounds. She made it through to the final 30 before being chosen to do her final audition at the Cavern Club in Liverpool.

Robert Willis said, "We wanted somebody who wasn't going to impersonate my mum but someone who could capture her spirit. Kara came in with her huge personality and amazing voice - when I saw the response of the audience at the Cavern, I knew she was the one my mum would have wanted!"

Originally from Watford, Kara trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama. She recently performed in Secret Cinema's Moulin Rouge and this will be her first leading role in a big new musical...and her first time on tour!

She said "When I was 11 I was shopping with my mum and bumped into Cilla and asked her for an autograph. I told her I wanted to be an actress - she laughed and said 'It's a tough industry, but if you really work hard and go for it, you'll be just fine.' She was a huge inspiration to me as a child; I grew up watching her on Blind Date every Saturday night with my Nan. To be chosen to play her is such an honour and I'm so excited to take on the role. To open in her hometown of Liverpool is so special and a real privilege."

The story follows the extraordinary life of the ordinary teenage girl from Liverpool, Priscilla White, and her rocky, yet incredible, rise to fame. By the age of just 25 she was recognized as international singing star Cilla Black. By the age of 30 she had become Britain's favorite television entertainer headlining series' of Blind Date, Surprise Surprise and many more.

The musical score will be the ultimate soundtrack to the 60's including Cilla's greatest hits

Anyone Who Had a Heart, Alfie and Something Tells Me, alongside a backdrop of the legendary "Liverpool Sound" including the Beatles' Twist and Shout, and American influences like California Dreamin by The Mamas and The Papas and many more.

Cilla - The Musical is produced by Bill Kenwright and Laurie Mansfield, alongside Executive Producer Robert Willis

Liverpool Empire Theatre atgtickets.com/Liverpool

7 - 16 September 0844 871 3017

Edinburgh Playhouse atgtickets.com/Edinburgh

19 - 23 September 0844 871 3014

Milton Keynes Theatre atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

26 - 30 September 0844 871 7627

Mayflower Theatre, Southampton mayflower.org.uk

3 - 7 October 023 8071 1811

New Alexandra Theatre Birmingham atgtickets.com/Birmingham

10 - 14 October 0844 871 3011

Blackpool, Opera House wgbpl.co.uk

17 - 21 October 0844 856 1111

New Theatre, Cardiff newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

31 October - 4 November 029 2087 8889

New Wimbledon Theatre atgtickets.com/Wimbledon

7 - 11 November 0844 871 7627

Regent Theatre, Stoke atgtickets.com/stoke

14 - 18 November 0844 871 7649

Palace Theatre, Manchester atgtickets.com/Manchester

21 - 25 November 0844 871 3019

Bradford, Alahambra Theatre bradford-theatres.co.uk

28 November - 2 December 01274 432 000

Dartford Orchard Theatre orchardtheatre.co.uk

16 - 20 January 01322 220 000

York, Grand Opera House atgtickets.com/York

23 - 27 January 0844 871 3024

Glasgow, Kings Theatre atgtickets.com/Glasgow

30 January - 3 February 0844 871 3024

Oxford, New Theatre atgtickets.com/Oxford

13 - 17 February 0844 871 3020

Derngate Theatre, Northampton royalandderngate.co.uk

20 - 24 February 01604 624 811

Newcastle, Theatre Royal theatreroyal.co.uk

27 February - 3 March 0844 811 2121

Bristol Hippordrome atgtickets.com/Bristol

13 - 17 March 0844 871 7627

Woking, New Theatre atgtickets.com/Woking

20 - 24 March 0844 871 7645

More tour dates to be confirmed soon.

Visit cillathemusical.com for all the latest tour and audition information

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