Winner of 2010 TMA award for Best Musical
Kirsty Hoiles (young Viv) TMA award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical.
“Another summer, another terrific small-scale musical revival from The Watermill.” The Guardian ****
"...a gloriously warm, in-yer-face revival that fits the intimate Watermill like a glove.” What’s On Stage *****
“Written from the heart by the lead character herself, this touching story is as relevant today as it was in 1961 when Viv Nicholson won the Pools.” The Stage
Following its sensational run at The Watermill last year, this award-winning production returns before touring to theatres around the UK.
Scraping by on seven quid a week with her husband and three kids in a tiny terraced house in Castleford, Yorkshire, Viv Nicholson’s life was as near rock bottom as it could get. Until that day in 1961 when Viv borrowed money from her Mam to play the Pools and she was catapulted from obscurity to fame with the biggest win ever - £152,319 (£5 million today). From rags to riches and back to rags again, the extraordinary musical journey of a brash and naïve, northern lass.
The cast
Greg Barnett Keith
Jack Beale Matt/Estate Agent
Rob Cousins Show MD
Neil Ditt Brucie/Bank Manager
Kirsty Hoiles Young Viv
T J Holmes Graham/Various
Graham Kent George
Karen Mann Viv
Jane Milligan Viv’s Mother
Tara Nelson Sue/Tart/Various
Susannah Van Den Berg Mrs Waterman/Florrie
Tom Yeates Policeman/Tax Inspector
Tickets
From £13.50 to £25
Performance Running Times
First Act 1hour
Interval 20 mins
Second Act 1 hour
Reactions from audience members...
“I laughed so much it hurt, yet also found it very moving”.
“Wow wow wow!! I laughed, cried, and didn't want it to end.”
“I will be recommending it to everyone - and am planning to come back and see it again!”
“The vitality, versatility and talent of the players left me speechless. What more could anyone want from a night out?”
Please note that this production contains strong language and there may be smoking on stage during the performance.
Click on the 'View movie' link above to see an extract from the show.
Go to our On Tour section for a list of tour dates and venues.
Performance times
Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm
Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm
(please note there is no matinee performance on Thursday 9 September)
Saturday 25 September performances at 1.30pm and 6.30pm
Directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood
Musical Supervisor and musical arrangements by Sarah Travis
Designed by Diego Pitarch
Lighting designed by Nick Richings
Sound designed by Clement Rawling
Associate Director Robin Colyer