Spice Girls The Musical

BREAKING NEWS June 6th 2012

The Daily Mail newspaper controversially reported last week that VIVA FOREVER: THE SPICE GIRLS MUSICAL would open at the Piccadilly Theatre in early December, following previews at the venue from November. Baz Bamigboye reported in his column last week that the show has gone through extensive previews and is finally at a stage where casting can take place. Although the Spice Girls are not directly involved with the project, members of the group were apparently ‘in tears’ after seeing the workshops, overcome at emotion with the story that includes their hit songs such as ‘Wannabe’, ‘Mamma’ and ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’.
Final dates have not been confirmed, but it is thought that tickets will go on sale for the show in mid July. The news came as a shock for cast of the Piccadilly’s current musical Ghost who were unaware that the show was closing. The news from Viva Forever producers certainly rocked the boat, with fans of the screen-to-stage show launching to twitter wishing to stamp out rumours, signing off with the show’s #believe hashtag. Although the Producers of Ghost met with the cast on stage last weekend and told them that nothing was official, industry insiders have noted that the highly technical and expensive production is loosing money and not selling well within the current West End climate.
Stay tuned to keep updated on all the latest Spice Girls the Musical news!

BREAKING NEWS – April 3rd 2012

It has been reported that the musical is currently being ‘delayed’ due to differences between each of the fab five. Although they are all involved with the project, their differing schedules and timetable clashes are making the road to the stage a difficult one. Whilst Jennifer Saunders is reportedly going “crazy” due to the changes to the show, each Spice Girl seems to want the show to move in a different direction. The plot focuses on a mother taking her child to a reality TV style audition and will use the group’s back catalogue for the soundtrack. Ginger Spice Gerri Halliwell is in the process of making a new documentary with Sky Living, which will follow the show’s difficult journey to the stage.
Although the show was originally scheduled for late 2012, it seems it may be a while until the West End can Spice Up its Life.

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One of the hottest new musicals to arrive in the West End in the next year is expected to cover the biggest selling girl band of all time. Viva Forever, the Spice Girls musical, is due to premiere early 2013, joining a string of new musical openings including The Bodyguard, The Book of Mormon and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
The Spice Girls are the most successful girl group of all time, selling more than 75 million records worldwide. After releasing their debut album in 1996, the group became an international phenomenon, spawning 9 number-one UK hits, video games, merchandise, and even a major motion-picture, Spice World. Their message of “Girl Power” inspired a generation of young girls across the globe, and they are credited with a second “British invasion” on the U.S. music charts. They remain the second-most successful British band internationally, behind only The Beatles.

Viva Forever The Spice Girls Musical

The production so far has not been without controversy. Marianne Elliot, the acclaimed co-director of War Horse, had been named to direct Viva Forever; however, in October, it was announced that she has left the production. Paul Garrington, who has directed international productions of Mamma Mia!, replaced her in the interim, but it has not yet been announced if he will be joining the production permanently. Jennifer Saunders, the BAFTA-winning creator and star of Absolutely Fabulous, will write the book.
Judy Cramer, also behind the international hit Mamma Mia!, will be producing the new musical. Although details of the plot remain top-secret, Cramer has revealed that modern-day talent competitions will be touched upon. ‘We live in a world dominated by people wanting to be famous,’ says Cramer. ‘What the Spice Girls did was before those shows became really what they are, and before the world become slightly obsessed by such shows. Viva Forever will encompass the Spice Girls ethos of friendship, identity and being true to yourself; it won’t be a tribute or bio show, nor will it feature characters with any of the names of the famous five piece.’

No casting information has been touched upon, although Jennifer Ellison threw her hat into the ring after being kicked of ITV’s Dancing on Ice, saying she hopes to return to the West End as one of the Fab Five. Having already played lead roles in ‘Chicago’ and ‘Phantom of the Opera’ on screen, Ellison may bring a touch of scouse class to the production, alongside some other potential big names. It has been suggested that the show will find early success by using the tried and tested reality TV search for cast members, drawing on the past results of ‘I’d Do Anything, ‘Any Dream Will Do’ and the upcoming ‘Superstar’. Earlier this year Cara Delevingne, socialite and wannabee pop star was reportedly asked to star in the project, but turned it down, saying: “My agent said, ‘No, you can’t, it will be a career killer.’ Of course, I loved the Spice Girls. I loved Geri and Baby, but who liked Posh Spice? They said I looked like her and I said, ‘That’s not cool, that’s really mean.’ ”

Only time will tell whether this new jukebox musical will succeed, and when it will eventually open. That being said, Viva Forever remains one of the most intriguing new productions announced for the coming year and with a ready made fan base gearing up to jump on board it looks likely to set sail.