Birmingham theatre finds Cilla for musical role
Following weeks of auditions at venues across the country - producers of Cilla the Musical have found their star.
Kara Lily Hayworth has fought off thousands of hopefuls to be named as the legend, Cilla Black.
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.
Executive Producer 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 we’d found her!”
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 out 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."
Cilla the Musical follows the extraordinary story of Cilla Black and her rise to fame. 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 among others.
Cilla the Musical comes to Birmingham's New Alexandra Theatre from October 10 to October 14.
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