Cynthia Erivo, who plays Chenice in the laugh-packed show, told seenit.co.uk: “Having the opportunity to go up front of people and sing and let other people hear you when you wouldn’t normally have that chance is pretty cool.”
Co-star Alan Morrissey, plumber and wannabe singer Max in the X-Factor inspired musical, said he understood the appeal of such shows to those who lacked the scholarships and support which he’d benefited from.
He said: “I totally see why people go on these shows because it’s their only way do it sometimes. And for that it’s brilliant.”
The cast also revealed that real-life judge Louis Walsh “loved” the way the musical portrays him as zimmer frame dependent, slightly senile and much in need of sleep.
And they said they were looking forward to seeing how fellow judge Cheryl Cole and host Dermot O’Leary would react to the show’s lampooning of them as ‘Jordy’ and ‘Liam O’Dreary’.
Actor and puppeteer Simon Lipkin, who plays Chenice’s dog Barlow, said audiences were in for a “fun, bonkers” time after the cast and producers used public reaction at previews to hone the show to perfection.
He told reporters that as an all-new, original show, writer Harry Hill and team had used the previews “for what they’re traditionally for,” to see “what works, what doesn’t” and make any necessary changes.
The former Avenue Q performer said this contrasted with previews of US coming to the West End – which he said were often little more than opportunities for audience members to bag themselves cheap tickets – because of the “template” nature of moving an already successful show to a new venue.
I Can’t Sing also stars Nigel Harman as Simon Cowell and opens at the Palladium opens on March 26th. For tickets and booking details visit icantsingthemusical.com
