EastEnders duo head to MK for Pretty Woman: The Musical
Strictly finalist and award-winning actor to perform in classic romantic comedy
TV favourite Molly Rainford will hit the stage in Pretty Woman: The Musical when it comes to Milton Keynes next spring – alongside another EastEnders actor.
Based on one of Hollywood’s greatest romantic comedies, the story tells of Vivian and Edward, unlikely soulmates who overcome all odds to find each other – and themselves. Theatregoers can experience the moments they remember from the 1990 film and get to know its characters in a whole new way in a joyous love story.
Molly Rainford will make her stage debut as Vivian Ward, and will be joined by Danny Walters as Edward Lewis and Bernadette Bangura as Kit De Luca.
Rainford is an actress, singer and television presenter. Her screen credits include Anna Knight in BBC’s EastEnders and the titular role in CBBC’s Nova Jones. Rainsford was a finalist on both Britain’s Got Talent in 2012 and Strictly Come Dancing in 2022. Last year she also competed in Celebrity Race Across the World with her partner Tyler West.
Danny Walters is best known for his award-winning role as Keanu Taylor in BBC’s EastEnders, gaining an International Achievement Recognition Award for Best Young Actor, National Television Award for Best Newcomer, and Radio Times Soap Award for Best Exit. His further screen credits include ITV’s Benidorm, BBC’s Call the Midwife and the Bafta-nominated BBC miniseries Our World War.
Bernadette Bangura recently starred as Becky in the UK tour of Waitress. Her other theatre credits include the UK tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Moulin Rouge! at the Piccadilly Theatre, Once On This Island at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, My Fair Lady at the London Coliseum and on its UK tour, Jesus Christ Superstar at the Barbican, and UK tours of Hairspray and Sunset Boulevard.
They are joined by Selena Barron,Jabari Braham, Jack Campbell, Cletus Chan, Josh Crowther, Sophie Cullen, Benjamin Dawson, 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.
Brought to life by a powerhouse creative team, the musical features direction and choreography by two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde, Hairspray), an original score by Canadian rock superstar Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance and a book by the movie’s legendary director Garry Marshall and screenwriter J F Lawton.
Pretty Woman: The Musical had its world premiere at Chicago’s Oriental Theatre in March 2018 before transferring to Broadway where it ran at the Nederlander Theatre. The German production opened in Hamburg at the Stage Theater an der Elbe in September 2019 to rave reviews, and a US Tour of the show opened in October 2021. The production opened in the West End at the Piccadilly Theatre in February 2020, before relocating to the Savoy Theatre from July 2021, where it played its final performance in June 2023, ahead of embarking on its first sell-out UK tour in October 2023.
The show will run at Milton Keynes Theatre from April 6 to 17. Visit atgtickets.com/MiltonKeynes to book.