There's a certain feline feel to a stage musical coming to a Kent theatre.

She's probably best known as one third of successful girl group, Atomic Kitten, but Natasha Hamilton has been busy beefing up her stage career away from the pop spotlight.

She joins the cast of Kay Mellor's stage show, Fat Friends the Musical, which is coming to Dartford's Orchard Theatre.

The show, packed with warmth, life and weight loss, reunites foodie friends in an original musical bulging with hopes, humour and heart.

The infamous group of loveable characters from Kay Mellor's ITV television series which hit our screens in 2000 were Alison Steadman, Gaynor Faye and Lisa Riley, with James Corden and Ruth Jones.

The stage show picks up with them five years on as they are put through their Zumba paces at their local branch of Super Slimmers by the lovelorn Lauren while Kelly fantasises about fitting into the wedding dress of her dreams.

Just announced to join the cast in Kent, Natasha Hamilton will star as Julia Fleshman, after getting rave reviews at the start of the tour.

Natasha has also starred as Mrs Johnston in Blood Brothers at the Phoenix Theatre and has appeared in the touring production of the high-kicking Rent.

She said: “I am thrilled to be able to extend my run with Kay Mellor’s Fat Friends the Musical. The show has had the most amazing response from audiences who on their feet every night. I am loving every minute of the show and working with such a fabulous cast and I’m really excited to be able to play the role of Julia in more venues around the UK.”

The cast also features some big names including Jodie Prenger, Joel Montague, Natalie Anderson, and Kent's own Sam Bailey, plus Coronation Street star Kevin Kennedy.

Produced by Joshua Andrews and Adam Spiegel, with original music and songs composed by Nicholas Lloyd Webber, the show is the first stage play directed and written by Kay. A prolific writer, her television credits include Band of Gold, The Chase, The Syndicate and In the Club.

Read our review here.

DETAILS

Fat Friends the Musical will be at the Orchard Theatre, Dartford from Monday, April 9 to Saturday, April 14. For tickets from £22.50 visit orchardtheatre.co.uk or call 01322 220000.