EastEnders stars announce team up as new musical project is confirmed

EastEnders stars Molly Rainford and Danny Walters are teaming up for a new project, which will see them take to the stage. The pair, who both left the BBC soap within the last two years, have joined the cast of Pretty Woman: The Musical in the upcoming UK tour.

Based on the hit '90s rom-com, the story centres around Vivian Ward, a Hollywood escort who is hired by wealthy businessman Edward Lewis to accompany him to various work and social functions.

During their week-long stay together, the pair grow close and eventually develop romantic feelings for each other, resulting in a tumultuous relationship as their two very different worlds collide.

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Rainford, who played Anna Knight on the soap, will make her stage debut as Vivian, the lead role portrayed by Julia Roberts in the film. Walters, who played Keanu Taylor, will star as Edward, originally played by Richard Gere.

Meanwhile, Bernadette Bangura will appear as Vivian's friend Kit De Luca, who was played by Laura San Giacomo in the film. Other supporting stars include Selena Barron, Jabari Braham, Jack Campbell, Cletus Chan, Josh Crowther, Sophie Cullen and Benjamin Dawson.

They are joined by Sian Gentle Green, Rebecca Ibbott, Kai Cameron Jay, Callum Martin, Brogan McFarlane, LJ Neilson, Matthew Prime, Alana M Robinson, Roshaan Saulnier, Morgan Scott, Ellie Seaton, Sario Solomon, Tomas Wolstenholme and Tara Yasmin.

Pretty Woman: The Musical opens at the New Wimbledon Theatre on 10 March 2027, and will tour across the UK until 16 October 2027. On the tour, the show will stop at Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Bristol.

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Two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell, whose credits include Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde and Hairspray, will direct and choreograph the show. It will also feature a score by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, with a book by Garry Marshall.

Also featured is Roy Orbison's smash-hit song 'Oh, Pretty Woman', which was popularised in the film. As per the logline, the rom-com is being "brought to life by a powerhouse creative team representing the best of music, Hollywood and Broadway".

Pretty Woman: The Musical opens at the New Wimbledon Theatre on 10 March 2027. EastEnders airs on Mondays - Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.

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