All-Star Cast Will “Only Have Eyes For You” as 42nd Street Plays Wales Millennium Centre

Cardiff will see the stars descend this summer as Samantha Womack, Michael Praed, Faye Tozer, Les Dennis and Nicole-Lily Baisden will be starring in 42^nd Street when the show visits Wales Millennium Centre in August 2023 on a UK and Ireland tour.  

Popular entertainer Les Dennis will be playing the role of Bert Barry. Les is best-known for presenting Family Fortunes and has starred in multiple TV shows including Death In Paradise, Coronation Street, Holby City, and Hotel Babylon. His theatre credits are equally impressive, as they include Only Fools & Horses The Musical (Theatre Royal Haymarket), HMS Pinafore (ENO), Hairspray (Coliseum), The Addams Family (Music and Lyrics), Spamalot (ATG), South Pacific (Birmingham Symphony), and Chicago (Adelphi).  

Les says of his role, “I’m thrilled to be playing Bert Barry and really excited to be opening this brand-new production of 42nd Street. Jonathan Church our director is really digging into the characters and where they’ve been. We’re giving a new look to this production.”  

42nd Street follows the story of young and beautiful Peggy Sawyer who arrives in New York City dreaming of her name in lights. She quickly catches the eye of a big-time director and lands a spot in the chorus line of Broadway’s newest show…and when the leading lady gets injured, Peggy gets her shot at stardom. 

Nicole-Lily Baisden will be playing Peggy Sawyer (previous credits include Nabulungi in The Book of Mormon (West End / UK & International Tour), Hope Harcourt in Anything Goes (Barbican Theatre & UK Tour). Nicole says of 42nd Street, “The choreography by Bill Deamer is incredible. It’s going to be breath-taking. I think everyone’s going to leave smiling!”  

Further cast for 42nd Street includes several well-known faces from stage and screen making the star line-up!

Music and Steps star Faye Tozer will play Maggie Jones. Faye’s theatre credits include Singin’ In The Rain (Sadler’s Wells, UK Tour & Canada) and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (Apollo Theatre).

Samantha Womack will be playing the role of Dorothy Brock. Samantha’s television credits include Ronni Mitchell in Eastenders, Tanya in 3 seasons of Mount Pleasant, Ruth in Babes In The Wood and Mandy in Game On. Samantha’s theatre credits include The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe (Gillian Lynne, West End) Girl On The Train (West End and UK Tour), The Addams Family (UK Tour) and Michael Grandage’s West End production of Guys And Dolls alongside Patrick Swayze (Piccadilly Theatre).  

They will be joined by Michael Praed whose TV credits include playing Frank Clayton in Emmerdale, as well as starring in The Bill, Casualty, Dynasty, Robin of Sherwood and Doctors. Michael’s theatre credits include playing George in War of the Worlds (Dominion Theatre), Dexter Haven in High Society (UK Tour) and Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music (UK Tour).

The additional cast include Sam Lips as Billy Lawlor, with Erica-Jayne Alden, George Beet, Charlie Bishop, Kevin Brewis, Olly Christopher, Briana Craig, Jordan Crouch, Rhianna Dorris, Ashleigh Graham, Alyn Hawke, Aimee Hodnett, Connor Hughes, Deja Linton, Sarah-Marie Maxwell, Greta McKinnon, Ben Middleton, Benjamin Mundy, Anthony Ofoegbu and Jessica Wright.  

42nd Street is a timeless and inspiring showbiz fairy tale that combines breath-taking tap dance routines, backstage intrigue, classic romance and delightful comedy to dazzling effect. This iconic song-and-dance spectacular features a hit parade of songs, including the title number, “We’re In The Money”, “Lullaby of Broadway”, “Shuffle Off To Buffalo” and “I Only Have Eyes For You”.

Tickets are on sale now for 42^nd Street, which will appear at Wales Millennium Centre from 14-19 August 2023 via Wales Millennium Centre’s website.