Jason Manford to star in The Producers tour
Jason Manford has been announced as the star of The Producers, the new UK stage tour based on Mel Brooks's Academy Award winning movie.
The show, which will tour theatres from March 2015, follows on from the Broadway and the West End shows, which have won a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards and 3 Olivier Awards.
Manford will take on the role of downtrodden accountant Leo Bloom, who is recruited by impoverished New York producer Max Bialystock to help him pull off a scam.
The story follows the duo as they aim to produce the worst show ever - Springtime For Hitler - and run away to Rio with millions in over-sold shares. However, their plan backfires when audiences presume the musical to be a satire, meaning the show is a success and does not close, as they had hoped.
Although stand-up comedian and presenter Jason Manford has previous musical experience, including starring alongside Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton in the West End production of Sweeney Todd, this will be his first musical theatre tour.
He says: "I'm so thrilled to be starring in my favourite musical of all time. Mel Brooks is a genius and I'm so excited to be playing the iconic role he created. The show is a riot of laughs from start to finish."
Talking about the new version, Mel Brooks says "It's brilliant to see The Producers being brought to life again with this new production and I can't wait to see what Jason Manford brings to the role of Leo."
The new tour is being overseen by the producer of Midnight Tango and Dance 'Til Dawn, and acclaimed Top Hat director, Matthew White.
The production team explains: "The Producers features a riotous mix of eccentric characters and show stopping songs that will have you toe-tapping your way through the brilliant world of Broadway. Featuring the all-time classic Springtime For Hitler, The Producers may be the funniest Broadway musical of all time and this brand new production is destined to delight British audiences with its breathless combination of song, dance and laughter."
To find out more and for tickets visit www.theproducersmusical.co.uk