REHEARSAL IMAGES RELEASED FOR HOPE MILL THEATRE’S NINE THE MUSICAL IN CONCERT STARRING RAMIN KARIMLOO

Rehearsal images have been released for Hope Mill Theatre’s new concert version of Nine the Musical, starring Broadway and West End star Ramin Karimloo, at Lowry, Salford next month. 

The concert will be in celebration of Hope Mill’s 9th Birthday – and will play for two performances only at Lowry, on Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd February 2025. 

Joining Ramin Karimloo (Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera, Funny Girl) as Guido Contini, will be Ruthie Henshall (Chicago, Billy Elliot) as Liliane la Fleur. Also appearing will be Amber Davies (Pretty Woman, Back to the Future) as Stephanie, Josefina Gabrielle (Les Miserables, Oaklahoma!) as Guido's Mother, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt (HEX, Cinderella) as Luisa, Melissa James (Moulin Rouge, Gypsy) as Claudia, Danielle Steers (Just For One Day, Bat Out of Hell the Musical) as Sarraghina and Zizi Strallen (Mary Poppins, Strictly Ballroom) as Carla. 

Joining the cast as featured ensemble is Tamsin January, Sammy Graham, Megan Davies-Truin and Zweyla Mitchell Dos Santos. The dance ensemble will be made up of students from Laine Theatre Arts.  

Nine, with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston, and a book by Arthur Kopit, adapted from the Italian by Mario Fratti, will be co-directed by Hope Mill founders William Whelton and Joseph Houston.  

Movie director Guido Contini finds himself struggling to find meaning, purpose, and a script for his latest movie endeavour. With only a week left before shooting begins, he desperately searches for answers and inspiration from his wife, his mistress, his muse, and his mother. As his chaotic profession steadily destroys his personal life, Guido must find a balance between creating art and succumbing to its obsessive demands. 

Featuring the songs, ‘Be Italian’, ‘Unusual Way’, ‘Cinema Italiano’ and many more.  

Nine the Musical won the 1982 Tony Award for Best Musical and Best Original Score, and was released as a movie in 2009 and featured an all-star cast including Daniel Day-Lewis, Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, Kate Hudson, Fergie, Sophia Loren and Judi Dench.  

This production will be produced by Whelton and Rhianna Swyer for Hope Mill Theatre. Set Design by Justin Williams, Lighting Design by Aaron Dootson, Sound Design by Nick Lodge, Choreography by Lucie Hunt, Costume Design by Lorraine Parry, Musical Supervision by Katy Richardson, Additional Orchestrations and Associate Musical Supervision by William Parker, Musical Direction by Joseph Clayton, Video Design by Matt Powell, Associate Video Design by Ieuan Watkins.  

Casting is by Jim Arnold CDG. 

Key Artwork Design by FEAST Creative. 

It follows Hope Mill Theatre’s concert version of Gypsy, starring Jodie Prenger, in February 2024 which recently was nominated for a What’s On Stage Award for Best Concert. 

Joseph Houston, co-director of NINE, said: “Rehearsals have begun for our production of NINE. As expected, the talent that we have assembled is truly remarkable. Ramin was born to play the role of Guido, and I truly think this will be a defining performance for him. The exceptional women we have on board are also outstanding, each of them bringing so much to these complex and wonderful roles. All of this including an ensemble of 24, a top tier creative team and a 24 piece orchestra, and I believe this will be an unforgettable night of theatre.”