X-Factor finalist Diana Vickers will star as Kat in the 2017 tour of Son of a Preacher Man which comes to Manchester’s Palace Theatre in September 2017.

Featuring the soulful music of Dusty Springfield, with a book by Warner Brown and directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood, Son of a Preacher Man embarks on a national tour starting at Bromley’s Churchill Theatre from Monday 4 September 2017.  The tour comes to Manchester shortly afterwards for a one-week run at the Palace Theatre.

Having first come to public attention on the X-Factor, Diana Vickets soon made her professional acting debut in the title role of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice in 2009 and has since appeared in The Duck House (West End, Vaudeville Theatre), Hatched ‘n’ Dispatched (Park Theatre), The Rocky Horror Show (UK Tour).

What is Son of a Preacher Man about?

Three broken hearts, one Soho hang-out, and the only man who could ever help them…

Welcome to the Preacher Man, the swinging 1960s Soho joint where the kids danced the night away to the latest crazes and dared to dream of love, while the legendary owner, The Preacher Man himself, dispensed advice to cure the loneliest of hearts.

Only, that was a long time ago and all that remains are the memories, the stories and the myths. Until now, that is, when three random strangers, generations apart but all in need of help with their hopeless love lives, are inexplicably drawn to the site of the original venue. the Preacher Man is long gone, but his son, with help from the wonderful Cappuccino Sisters, might just find it in himself to channel the spirit of the Preacher Man and once more give these three lovesick strangers the look of love.

Son of a Preacher Man features the greatest hits of Dusty Springfield including The Look Of Love, I Only Want To Be With You, Spooky and the classic Son Of A Preacher Man.

Who else is involved in Son of a Preacher Man?

Son of a Preacher Man is directed and choreographed by Strictly Come Dancing’s Craig Revel Horwood, who commented, “I am delighted to bring to life for the very first time this wonderful story created by Warner Brown, with soulful songs from the legendary Dusty Springfield’s iconic music catalogue. I hope that audiences in Manchester will come to love this warm-hearted and uplifting new musical as much as I do.”

Craig’s recent credits as director and choreographer include the current UK tour of Sister Act, the previous UK tours Brother Love Travelling Salvation Show and Chess.

Son of a Preacher Man has been written by Warner Brown, who wrote ‘the most popular family show of all time’, the arena production Walking With Dinosaurs, creating an entirely new genre of theatrical presentation and winning many international awards.  Writing credits include Half A Sixpence (UK Tour), The Biograph Girl (Phoenix Theatre), Cinderella (London Palladium), The Black and White Ball, which opened in London and for which The Cole Porter Trusts granted Warner stage rights to the songs of Cole Porter, Flickers (Broadway’s Circle-In-The Square Theater), The House on the Corner (Edinburgh International Festival) and, in addition, Tallulah For A Day and Sleep With Friends. Plays include Laughing Dove, Wavelength and The Prospero Suite, directed by John Doyle.

Warner has worked extensively in Europe, most recently writing the musical Garbo, with music by ‘Meatloaf’ rock legend Jim Steinman. He also has extensive writing credits for the BBC and was Script Associate of the BBC Classic Musicals Series, for which he adapted fourteen musicals featuring many international stars

Where and when is Son of a Preacher Man performed in Manchester?

Son of a Preacher Man runs at Manchester’s Palace Theatre from Tuesday 26 until Saturday 30 September.  Performances are at 7.30pm with additional showings at 2.30pm on Wednesday and Saturday.  Tickets are priced from £15.