Following two successful tours and a four-month West End run, Rip It Up will be returning this September for a groovy 70s edition.
Louis Smith MBE, Rachel Stevens and Melody Thornton will be heading up the cast of the Rip It Up the 70s tour, which kicks off on September 13 in Norwich, with another cast announcement to follow. Audiences can expect to hear some of the classic sounds of the era, from disco to glam rock, punk to funk, and new wave to reggae.
With artists including David Bowie, Marc Bolan, Abba, The Bee Gees, The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Queen, Elton John, and Barry White in their prime during the 70s, it’s safe to say that audiences across the country will be singing along to the most iconic soundtrack of the era.
Not only will the show be a treat to the ears, but it is set to be a visual spectacular with plenty of bold fashion statements from the era including hot pants, flares, jumpsuits and platform shoes.
From the Producers of #RipItUp 50s & #RipItUp 60s comes… Rip It Up The 70s! ????? STARRING… #StrictlyComeDancing champion @louissmith1989 MBE, Strictly finalist @MsRachelStevens & #PussycatDoll’s star @MelodyThornton! ???
Register for pre-sale ?? https://t.co/HoTKLqib9a pic.twitter.com/kVBi3V3XSi
— Rip It Up (@RipItUpTheShow) June 3, 2019
Louis is best known for being an Olympic gymnast, however, in recent years he has also gained a huge following thanks to his dancing. After winning Strictly Come Dancing in 2012, he put his dancing shoes on once more for the Rip It Up the 50s tour in 2017 with Jay McGuiness and Natalie Lowe. In 2018, he teamed up with Aston Merrygold and Harry Judd for the Rip It Up the 60s tour, before the trio were joined by Jay McGuiness for a successful four-month run at the West End’s Garrick Theatre.
Speaking about the new announcement, Louis said: “Every night during the Rip It Up tours I tell people these shows are the hardest thing I have ever done – even harder than competing at the Olympics and Strictly. I’m not sure everyone believes me, but I’m telling the truth. But I love dancing and relish a challenge, so I am so happy to be part of the new Rip It Up The 70s show. I look forward to seeing everybody on the dance floor.”
Rachel is best known for being a part of S Club 7, although she previously showcased her dance skills during the eighth series of Strictly Come Dancing, where she narrowly missed out on picking up the Glitterball Trophy.
Speaking about the tour, Rachel said: “I am so excited to be joining the cast for Rip It Up The 70s. Dancing has played such an important role in my life. Like Louis, Strictly was one of the best experiences of my life, so I’m really looking forward to being involved in such an amazing production. And what’s not to love about the music and fashion of the ‘70s? It’s going to so much fun.”
They will be joined by Melody, who rose to fame as part of international girlband Pussycat Dolls. Over the years she has competed in numerous reality shows, including this year’s Dancing On Ice. She has also starred in the stage version of The Bodyguard.
Looking forward to starring in Rip It Up The 70s, Melody said, “Singing, dancing, ‘70s pop culture and fashions are lifelong passions of mine, so I jumped at the chance to appear in Rip It Up The 70s. I’m excited to show UK audiences exactly what I can do. I can’t wait to be part of what is going to be the most exhilarating show and an amazing tour with such a mind-blowing soundtrack.”
Tickets for Rip It Up The 70s go on sale at 10am on Friday (June 7) and will be available from the official website. VIP ticket packages will also be available, offering fans the chance to meet Louis, Rachel and Melody and receive a VIP tour laminate and a signed photo.
The dates for Rip It Up The 70s are as follows (*indicates additional matinee performances):
September
Fri 13 Norwich Theatre Royal
Sat 14 Hayes Beck Theatre*
Sun 15 Dartford Orchard Theatre
Tue 17 Bradford King’s Hall
Wed 18 Leicester De Montfort Hall
Thu 19 Milton Keynes Theatre
Fri 20 Peterborough New Theatre
Sat 21 Ipswich Regent Theatre
Sun 22 Swindon Wyvern Theatre*
Tue 24 Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Wed 25 Barnstaple Queen’s Theatre*
Thu 26 Bournemouth Pavilion
Fri 27 Chatham Central Theatre
Sat 28 Eastbourne Congress Theatre
Sun 29 Brighton Theatre Royal*
October
Tue 1 Woking Victoria Theatre
Wed 2 Cambridge Corn Exchange
Thu 3 High Wycombe The Swan Theatre
Fri 4 Basingstoke Anvil Theatre
Sat 5 St Albans Alban Arena*
Sun 6 Northampton Derngate Theatre
Tue 8 Scunthorpe Baths Hall
Wed 9 Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Thu 10 Carlisle Sands Centre
Fri 11 Aberdeen Music Hall
Sat 12 Perth Concert Hall
Sun 13 Glasgow King’s Theatre
Mon 14 Edinburgh Kings Theatre
Wed 16 Billingham Forum Theatre*
Thu 17 Manchester Opera House
Fri 18 Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
Sat 19 Birmingham Symphony Hall
Sun 20 Southend Cliffs Pavilion*
Tue 22 Cardiff St David’s
Wed 23 Bath Forum Theatre
Thu 24 Guildford GLive
Fri 25 Worthing Pavilion Theatre*
Sat 26 Yeovil Octagon Theatre*
Sun 27 Bromley Churchill Theatre*
Tue 29 York Barbican
Wed 30 Halifax Victoria Theatre
November
Sat 2 Southport Waterfront Southport
Sun 3 Newcastle Theatre Royal*
Wed 6 London Palladium
Are you excited for Rip It Up the 70s? Let us know on Twitter @CelebMix