A Strictly Come Dancing champion will visit Malvern to make her stage acting debut.

Ellie Leach, who was crowned winner of the popular dance competition in 2023 with partner Vito Coppola, will trailblaze her stage debut as Miss Scarlett in the UK tour of Cluedo 2, which is set for a five-night run at the Festival Theatre between Tuesday, April 30 and Saturday, May 4.

Known for her stint on Coronation Street spanning 13 years, Leach became a household name following her win of the famous glitter ball.

 

 

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Besides her, Jason Durr, who is best known for his performance as David Hide in BBC One's Casualy, will make his return to the stage as Colonel Mustard.

Leach said: "After an incredible year I’m so excited to join the cast of Cluedo 2.

"I am delighted to make my stage acting debut as Miss Scarlett and I can’t wait to work with Jason and the talented cast."

Durr said: "I’m thrilled to be joining the cast of Cluedo 2 as Colonel Mustard.

"I was a huge fan of the Cluedo board game as a child and the Colonel is such a great character.

"I am looking forward to bringing laughter and this ultimate whodunnit to audiences across the UK in its 75th anniversary year."

The production, an original comedy mystery authored by TV and stage writing duo Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, is set in the swinging 60’s.

The cast also includes Jack Bennett, Hannah Boyce, Dawn Buckland, Liam Horrigan, Edward Howells, Tiwai Muza, Gabriel Paul, Kara Alberts-Turner, Audrey Anderson and Henry Lawes.

Alongside Colonel Eugene Mustard and Miss Annabel Scarlett, the performers will take on the iconic roles of characters like Mrs Emerald Peacock, ‘Professor’ Alex Plum, ‘The Reverend’ Hal Green and the housekeeper Mrs White, moving from room to room in an attempt to evade the murderer and survive the night.

The characters will leave it to the audience to unravel the secrets and identify the murderer, the weapon they used and the scene of the murder.

The play is produced by JAS Theatricals, Gabriel Creative Partners, The Araca Group and Lively McCabe Entertainment.