Susan Boyle musical to star Susan Boyle

MADEUP loves a bit of Empire campery to liven up a dreary afternoon, and today they once again delivered the goods, cheerfully announcing the pending arrival of international singing sensation Susan Boyle to the theatre. Quite like some kind of bizarre plotline of Red Dwarf, Boyle will be joining the cast of a the musical based on her life story, which is set to visit Liverpool in April next year for one week only. Tickets went on sale today, (Tuesday, October 11). Called, unsurprisingly, I Dreamed a Dream after the Les Mis number that made her name, her appearance in the musical will be actually be the first opportunity for people to watch her perform in the UK on stage since the Britain's Got Talent tour in 2009. She's issued this amusingly mindboggling quote: “I am thrilled to be a part of the musical about my life story and very much looking forward to stepping on stage and performing with the cast. It is an honest portrayal of my life and has been a cathartic process to be involved in.” Taking on the lead role of Susan Boyle is Elaine C Smith, last seen on the Liverpool stage in Calendar Girls, and who is best known for her portrayal of Mary Doll in Rab C Nesbitt on BBC Television. Producer Michael Harrison says: “Having Susan join the cast to perform the finale of her musical is amazing for both ourselves and audiences across the UK and Ireland. Susan continues to defy the odds and surprise the world with her record-breaking albums. Now she can add a musical to her list of achievements and I can't wait to see the audience reaction when she walks on stage.” I'll say. With the tagline "this astounding musical will make you laugh and cry but most of all dream -- if she can dare to dream so can you", it's certainly walking the walk.  Tickets are available from Liverpool Empire box office, or by calling 0844 871 3017 or book online at www.liverpoolempire.org.uk