Spice Girls musical 'Viva Forever' gets director

Judy Craymer's new musical, VIVA FOREVER, a modern fable of camaraderie, love and loyalty based on the songs of the Spice Girls, is to be directed by one of the most illustrious British theatre directors Marianne Elliott.

In confirming the announcement, Judy said: "I am delighted that Marianne has agreed to direct VIVA FOREVER. With her theatrical aptitude for exploring strong women and their relationships and her meticulousness to detail she is absolutely the right person to direct this new musical which is all about female friendship, celebrity and fame. I'm so happy to have her on board, together with Jennifer Saunders, who has written the musical."

Marianne Elliott started her career in the mid-nineties having graduated in drama from the Hull University. Her credits include work at the Royal Exchange, Royal Court, and the RSC before she joined the National Theatre as an Associate in 2006. Credits for the National Theatre include War Horse (co-directed with Tom Morris and which has just opened to much critical acclaim on Broadway), Pillars of the Community, Therese Raquin, Saint Joan, All's Well That Ends Well, Harper Regan, Mrs Affleck and most recently with Thomas Middleton's Woman Beware Women and Alan Ayckbourn's Season's Greetings.

Simon Fuller, the Spice Girls' manager, said, "The girls and I are delighted that one of the most brilliant female theatre directors Marianne Elliott is to direct VIVA FOREVER. Judy, Jennifer and now Marianne, make an eminent team.'

VIVA FOREVER is produced by Judy Craymer in association with Universal Music, Simon Fuller and the Spice Girls.

VIVA FOREVER, a romantic comedy musical, based on the songs of the Spice Girls, is expected to open in the West End towards the end of 2012.