MusicalsDaily

First Look Images for NOW That’s What I Call A Musical World Premiere

By Josh Darvill Updated
LtoR Emily Barnett-Salter, Nikita Johal, Matthew Mori, Martha Pothen, Molly Cheesley, Lauren Hendricks & Poppy Tierney
LtoR Emily Barnett-Salter, Nikita Johal, Matthew Mori, Martha Pothen, Molly Cheesley, Lauren Hendricks & Poppy Tierney, credit Pamela Raith

New production images have been released for the world premiere of NOW That’s What I Call A Musical, and they’re giving us a tantalising glimpse of the nostalgia-fuelled extravaganza currently touring the UK and Ireland.

The tour, which kicked off on 6 September in Aylesbury, runs until 12 April 2025, promising audiences a trip down memory lane filled with the greatest hits of the 80s and 90s.

NOW That's What I Call A Musical
NOW That’s What I Call A Musical, credit Pamela Raith
Nikita Johal as Younger Gemma, Maia Hawkins as Younger April & Nina Wadia as Gemma in NOW That's What I Call A Musical
Nikita Johal as Younger Gemma, Maia Hawkins as Younger April & Nina Wadia as Gemma in NOW That’s What I Call A Musical, credit Pamela Raith
Maia Hawkins as Younger April, Luke Latchman as Younger Frank & Nikita Johal as Younger Gemma
Maia Hawkins as Younger April, Luke Latchman as Younger Frank & Nikita Johal as Younger Gemma in NOW That’s What I Call A Musical, credit Pamela Raith

The show stars Nina Wadia as Gemma, alongside Melissa Jacques as April from the tour’s start in Aylesbury up to Brighton on 7 December 2024. From 14 January 2025 in Southampton, Sam Bailey takes over the role of April.

The cast also includes Kieran Cooper as Younger Tim, Christopher Glover as Dad, Chris Grahamson as Tim, and many more talented performers filling the stage with energy and nostalgia.

LtoR Christopher Glover as Dad, Luke Latchman as Younger Frank, Poppy Tierney as Mum & Nikita Johal as Younger Gemma
LtoR Christopher Glover as Dad, Luke Latchman as Younger Frank, Poppy Tierney as Mum & Nikita Johal as Younger Gemma, credit Pamela Raith
Chris Grahamson as Tim & Melissa Jacques as April
Chris Grahamson as Tim & Melissa Jacques as April in NOW That’s What I Call A Musical, credit Pamela Raith
Shakil Hussain as Frank & Nina Wadia as Gemma
Shakil Hussain as Frank & Nina Wadia as Gemma in NOW That’s What I Call A Musical, credit Pamela Raith
Nikita Johal as Younger Gemma & Kieran Cooper as Younger Tim
Nikita Johal as Younger Gemma & Kieran Cooper as Younger Tim in NOW That’s What I Call A Musical, credit Pamela Raith
Maia Hawkins as Younger April
Maia Hawkins as Younger April in NOW That’s What I Call A Musical, credit Pamela Raith

Special guest stars Sinitta, Sonia, Carol Decker, and Jay Osmond are set to make appearances at selected venues, performing the songs that made them icons of the NOW That’s What I Call Music era.

Set between Birmingham in 1989 and 2009, the musical follows school friends Gemma and April as they navigate the ups and downs of their youth and reconnect at a school reunion years later. Expect drama, laughs, and a lot of hairspray as the characters relive their glory days through the soundtrack of a generation.

These first-look images capture the spirit of the show—big hair, bigger tunes, and even bigger emotions. They offer a sneak peek at the vibrant sets and choreography that pay homage to the unforgettable NOW That’s What I Call Music compilations, celebrating 40 years of chart-topping hits from artists like Whitney Houston, Wham!, Blondie, Tears For Fears, and Spandau Ballet.

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