Former Popstar Noel Sullivan is to take over from X-Factor’s Ray Quinn in the role of Danny in Grease at the Piccadilly theatre from 30 November.
Sullivan, who will make his West End debut when he joins the T-Birds on stage, began his career when he was selected for the pop band Hear’Say through reality television show Popstars in 2000. Since the group split up in 2002 Sullivan has taken to musical theatre, appearing in touring productions of Flashdance: The Musical, Love Shack and What A Feeling.
Sullivan joins current Sandy, Emma Stephens, in Grease, which has been playing at the Piccadilly theatre since 2007, when the production’s original leads were found through another reality show, ITV’s Grease Is The Word.
The musical, immortalised on screen in the 1978 film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John, centres on the graduating class of Rydell High in 1958. Fresh-faced new girl at school Sandy is delighted when she comes face to face with the subject of her summer romance, Danny, but the T-Bird leader is not quite the boy she remembers. The tumultuous journey their romance takes over the course of the year sets up the memorable score, which includes Sandy, You’re The One That I Want, Summer Nights and We Go Together.
Former X-Factor and Dancing On Ice star Quinn continues in the role of Danny until 28 November.
CB