Jason Manford to star in Curtains at Liverpool Empire

Jason Manford is set to star in a new production of the Tony Award-winning Curtains which comes to the Liverpool Empire next week.

The Salford comedian and actor will play detective Frank Cioffi in the Kander and Ebb musical murder mystery.

The show – with a book by Rupert Holmes – is set in Boston’s Colonial Theatre in 1959 and tells the story of Jessica Cranshaw, faded film star and leading lady in the new Broadway-bound musical Robbin’ Hood, who has been murdered on stage on opening night.

The entire cast and crew are suspects. Time to call in the local detective, Lt Frank Cioffi, who just happens to be a huge musical theatre fan.

With a nose for crime and an ear for music, Frank has his work cut out trying to find the killer while giving the show a lifeline.

The musical made its Broadway debut in 2008, and Frasier actor David Hyde Pierce won a Tony for his portrayal of Frank Cioffi.

Jason Manford’s musical theatre credits include playing Pirelli in Sweeney Todd opposite Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton, Leo Bloom in The Producers, Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls, and Caractacus Potts in a UK tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

The tour of Curtains is set to come to Liverpool from January 28 to February 1.

Tickets are £18.25 to £49.25 plus transaction fee. Visit the Empire website HERE

Photos by Seamus Ryan