From East End to West End

Jessie Wallace will take on the role of Maureen in William Baker’s new version of RENT by Jonathan Larson at the Duke of York’s Theatre on 24 December. She replaces Denise van Outen whose final performance will be Saturday 22 December. Rent opened in October 2007 and through its unique ticket policy has seen a younger generation embrace this remixed version of rent, playing to standing ovations every night.

“The sexiest cast in London” - Sunday Express

“Colossal tunes. A must see” - London Lite

“Magical Evening” – Evening Standard

Jessie Wallace is known to millions for her role as Kat Slater in Eastenders, a role she played for five years winning the National Television Awards Most Popular Newcomer in 2001, and Most Popular Actress in 2003. Since leaving Eastenders in 2005 she has been seen in the one-off BBC1 television dramas A Class Apart opposite Nathanial Parker and The Dinner Party with Lee Evans and Alison Steadman and as Marie Lloyd in Miss Marie Lloyd – Queen on the Music Hall for BBC Four. She has recently just completed filming the third series of ITV 1’s Wild at Heart which is due for transmission in February 2008.

Based on Puccini’s La Boheme, RENT first opened at New York Theatre Workshop. Directed by William Baker, this new contemporary version of RENT has been reworked and re-orchestrated by William Baker and Steve Anderson, the celebrated creative team behind Kylie Minogue.

This production is designed by Mark Bailey, with music supervision by Steve Anderson, lighting by David Howe and sound by Sebastian Frost. The full cast includes; Siobhan Donaghy as Mimi, Luke Evans as Roger, Oliver Thornton as Mark, Leon Lopez as Collins, Jay Webb as Angel, Francesca Jackson as Joanne and Craig Stein as Benny with Ruth Augilera, Jamie Sampson, Antony Luperi, Earl Perkins, Lewis Griffiths, CJ Johnson, Alexander Forster and Philipa Stefani.