It now looks likely that the cast of Viva Forever will be a group of unknowns, a little like the original Spice Girls themselves on whose music the show will be based.

Judy Craymer says “For all that you have heard about which famous faces are up for the show, we are keen to cast unknown actors because the production will be strong enough in its own right”. Speaking at a party for the new Mamma Mia cast she went on “I have created a story around the music, so no one is playing the individual ‘Spices’. It’s a modern-day fable that looks at fame, celebrity and friendship”.

Jennifer Saunders will write the script for the show. It is not the first time Saunders has had a connection with the Spice Girls as she had a cameo in the 1997 Spiceworld film. The musical is being produced by Judy Craymer (who also produced Mamma Mia!) in association with Universal Music, Simon Fuller and the Spice Girls, and is expected to hit the West End in 2012.

Update June 2012: Coming to the Piccadilly Theatre in December!