EastEnders’ Samantha Womack to star in new show Girl on the Train at Wolverhampton Grand
Former EastEnders star Samantha Womack is heading to Wolverhampton as the lead role in a gripping thriller visiting the Grand Theatre next year.
Tickets go on sale next week for The Girl On The Train, a new production based on the international acclaimed novel by Paula Hawkins and the popular Dreamworks film.
The actress, best known for playing Ronnie Mitchell in the soap, stars alongside ex-Coronation Street actor Oliver Farnworth in the show between 18-23 March next year.
Mr Farnworth played Andy Carver on the Street and has also been credited in Mr Selfridge, The Royal and Hollyoaks.
Ms Womack, 45, will play lead role Rachel Watson, who escapes reality by watching a couple through a train window each day, before the female dramatically disappears.
She said: "Having been thoroughly captivated by the novel, the opportunity to take on a role like this is incredibly exciting. I’ve been fascinated by thrillers for a long time and this kind of storytelling, like Hitchcock’s Rear Window, offers us a voyeurs journey into a world which is dangerous and full of suspense.”
The lead role's journey unravels after the disappearance as, inadvertently, she becomes a witness to the event and even a suspect.
Ms Womack recently starred alongside Colin Firth in the latest productions of the hugely popular 'Kingsman' franchise, 'The Golden Circle' and 'The Secret Service'.
The original novel has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide.
The Grand production is produced by Simon Friend, Amblin Entertainment and Josh Andrews and directed by Anthony Banks.
Tickets for production go on sale next week. Friends of the Grand and members tickets are on offer from Monday (24), 11am online http://grandtheatre.co.uk/ or over the phone on 01902 42 92 12 and 12pm in person from the box office.
They then go on general sale on Friday (28), 11am online and on the phone and 12pm at the box office.
A number of exciting productions will be displays at the Grand in the coming months. The Singular Exploits Of Sherlock Holmes, a stirring rendition of the Arthur Conan Doyle classic, begins on January 16 – a one-man show featuring the timeless sleuth's crime-busting adventures.
English Touring Opera's Macbeth visits of the city on March 25, while a sing-a-long adaption of the immensely popular The Greatest Showman film hits the stage on March 30.
Comedy Jethro heads to the Grand in April alongside Beatles extravaganza All You Need Is Love.
