Daily Mail

Lulu ready to light up the West End at 69

- By Baz Bamigboye

LULU is to return to the West End stage for the first time in 33 years to appear in the musical 42nd Street.

‘I’m still ticking, so why not?’ the 69-year-old star said yesterday. ‘One of the things I am blessed with – there’s no doubt about it – is to be still here.’

The singer, whose first hit was Shout in 1964, last appeared in the West End playing Miss Adelaide in Guys And Dolls.

She will take over the role of Dorothy Brock, a Broadway battleaxe who can sing but can’t dance, from Sheena Easton, who leaves 42nd Street on March 17 when her contract ends.

Lulu, who will begin performanc­es two days later, said she originally turned urned down the role. But having started taking acting lessons a year ago – despite appearing in the film To Sir With Love 51 years ago – she ‘realised that doing the show would help me exercise that ( acting) muscle’. Age doesn’t worry her, she said. ‘I’m blessed with having a lot of energy. I’ve always had bundles of it. You have to be discipline­d. I don’t drink. I don’t smoke. I try to eat healthily.’

In fact, there’s just one problem with the role of the non- dancing Dorothy. ‘It’s impossible for me to stand still!’ she said. It’s Friday!

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 ??  ?? Energetic: Lulu in 1964 and, and above, above on the set of 42nd Street, her first West End show for 33 years
Energetic: Lulu in 1964 and, and above, above on the set of 42nd Street, her first West End show for 33 years

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