Complete Casting Announced for Susan Boyle Bio-Musical I Dreamed a Dream

Complete casting has been announced for the upcoming musical I Dreamed a Dream, based on the life story of reality TV singing sensation Susan Boyle. As previously announced, the role of Boyle will be played by Elaine C. Smith, who also co-wrote the piece. I Dreamed a Dream will begin previews on March 23 at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal, with opening night set for March 27.

James Paterson and Karen Mann will play Susan’s parents, Pat and Bridie Boyle, respectively. Ashleigh Gray will play Susan’s childhood friend Lorraine Campbell, Jeffrey Harmer will play her manager Andy Stephens, and Liz Ewing will play her school teacher Mrs. Johnstone. All other roles throughout the production will be played by Gordon Cooper, Anne Smith, Frances Mayli McCann, David Haydn and Alan McHugh, who co-wrote I Dreamed a Dream with Smith. Susan Boyle will be making special guest appearances.

The musical tells the story of Boyle’s life, from her humble beginnings in a large working class family in central Scotland (where she shared a three-bedroomed council house with a family of ten), to her current status as a global star, following her life-changing appearance on Britain’s Got Talent.

The production is directed by Ed Curtis, choreographed by Nick Winston and features set design by Morgan Large, lighting design by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Richard Brooker, video design by Jack James, with musical supervision and orchestrations by Kennedy Aitchinson. I Dreamed a Dream is produced by Michael Harrison.

Following its run in Newcastle, I Dreamed a Dream will tour to Aberdeen, Bradford, Liverpool, Dublin, Bristol, Southend, Cardiff, Birmingham, Inverness and Manchester.