Fans in anticipation of the Rocky Horror Show in Birmingham are in for a treat. One of the confirmed performers included in the cast is X Factor 2008 Semifinalist Diana Vickers. She will play the role of Janet, one of the college nerds stuck in the Frankenstein place. This is according to The Stage.
Diana Vickers is quite an unexpected casting choice for the role of Janet. That is if her current genre would be used as basis. Also, how can an edgy Eurodance recording artist pass off for a character with almost child-like demeanor? That may be the trick that the UK tour is gunning for. Rocky Horror Show in Birmingham would be one of the stops that would witness her performance.
Musical theater enthusiasts unfamiliar with Diana Vickers ended up Googling her credentials. Turns out that she has been in West End before. Previous theater stints are roles in The Duck House and The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. Rocky Horror Show in Birmingham is said to be one of the first major roles ever bagged in the British musical theater scene.
Diana Vickers’ appearances in her music videos like in “Once”, “Cinderella” and “Music to Make Boys Cry” are a far cry (pun intended) from how she looked the day she auditioned for X Factor. She comes across as a fan of old school music. It’s as if she originally intended to be a rocker. Her transition into Eurodance may have been inevitable. Knowing that artists take the opportunity to reinvent themselves. Seeing her in the Rocky Horror Show in Birmingham would be another test then on her capability to reinvent herself. Or make the role of Janet her own.
Playing the role of Janet would invite some comparisons with Susan Sarandon. Sarandon was the actress that played Janet on the film version of the Rocky Horror Show. Not too blonde to the point of even being nerdy. Even more, Janet is not exactly the kind of girl whose academic intelligence transcends in real life. In other words, someone not so street smart. In fact, fans who already snapped up tickets for the Rocky Horror Show in Birmingham are expecting some of the funniest scenes to come from Janet’s poor judgment.
Some fans view this move as her way of proving her acting mettle in musical theater. It’s something worth commending for. This is not the last time that a pop star dipped their big toe in the crazy arena of musical theater. Duncan James of the pop group Blue was mentioned previously here at Musicals Online as one of the confirmed leads for “Priscilla Queen of the Desert”. So big thumbs up for Diana Vickers in taking this challenge.
The UK Tour for the Rocky Horror Show would last up to August 27, 2016. Diana Vickers will be part of the cast only up until May 28, 2016. Rocky Horror Show in Birmingham would then be staged on the New Alexandra Theatre on January 2016. Click here to check the dates and to buy tickets.
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