Cheryl’s West End co-star had to quit less than a week after her 2:22 A Ghost Story debut.
Hugo Chegwin, who plays Ben on the show, was forced to withdraw from the play after contracting the flu which made him too ill to rehearse.
The actor was replaced by EastEnders star Jake Wood, who created the character in the play’s first run.
Play: Cheryl’s West End co-star forced to quit less than a week after debuting in 2:22 A Ghost Story
Hugo said: “I have the flu. Being bad at rehearsal forced me to withdraw from the play.
“I am absolutely devastated and wish everyone involved the best of luck. The cast is really great.”
Jake Wood said: “It was an honor to play the role of Ben in Noel Coward and to win the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Male Identifying Role in a Play for 2021 and I am delighted to rejoining the cast until the end of April.
Funny, touching and so entertaining, Danny Robins’ script is easily the best play I’ve ever read. If you’ve already seen the show, come back and watch it again and I promise you’ll enjoy it as much as I know I will the second time around.
Illness: Hugo Chegwin, who plays Ben on the show, was forced to pull out of the play after catching flu, which made him too ill for rehearsals
In the play, Cheryl plays a housewife named Jenny who becomes convinced of supernatural activity in her home.
The role has previously been played by Lily Allen, Giovanna Fletcher and Laura Whitmore.
The Girls Aloud star is reportedly set to command one of the biggest wages in West End history, with sources claiming she will earn £750,000 for four months working on the play.
Cheryl signed up for the role despite having little acting experience and bosses hope she will boost ticket sales.
Replacement: The actor was replaced by EastEnders star Jake Wood (far right), who created the character in the play’s first run
Hugo said: “I have the flu. Being bad at rehearsal forced me to withdraw from the play. “I am completely devastated by this”
Her move into acting seems to have paid off, judging by early reviews from theatergoers who attended her debut.
Reaction Online claims Cheryl packed a “punch” and performed without a single “stutter or stumble”, while her jokes were also reportedly well received, with the cast receiving a standing ovation at the end of the show.
One person said: “Okay but honestly I will NOT take any Cheryl insults before 2:22! Girlie destroyed her debut. No stuttering or tripping all jokes landed my girl delivered with a bang . And I saw A LOT of shows and performances.’
Another gushed: “2:22 was insane! Cheryl planned it and I’m just impressed.
Rave Reviews: One person said, “Okay, but honestly, I’m NOT going to take Cheryl insults for 2:22!” Girlie crushed her debut. No stuttering or tripping, all jokes landed, my girl delivered with a bang. And I saw a LOT of shows and performances’
Another person said: “Cheryl was amazing in 2.22 – I really think she did a really strong act. Well done @CherylOfficial and the whole cast!’
A third wrote: “2.22am opening night I really felt like I was living a fever dream watching a ghost story with Cheryl in her West End debut.
“I really enjoyed the show and our Chezza smashed it and the whole cast is amazing. What a night!’
Another person who saw the show wrote: “Still can’t get over seeing Cheryl at 2.22am yesterday!” The show and the entire cast were amazing! Never jumped like that in my life [crying laughing emoji].’
Another person agreed, writing: “Cheryl was brilliant at 2:22 Ghost Story last night. Well worth going to see her.”
Another noted the full house, saying: “2:22 A Ghost Story was absolutely packed on opening night to see Cheryl.
“I had no expectations and she did her job well. I didn’t get the twist either, even after I joked during the break.”
Written by Danny Robins, the sophisticated supernatural thriller received critical acclaim when it premiered in August 2021.
Hugo added: “I wish everyone involved in the play the best of luck. The cast is really great’ (pictured with Cheryl during rehearsals)
From day one, the production relied heavily on what is known as stunt casting – in which a famous person, often with little or no acting experience, is given a role to sell tickets.
The gist of the play is that every night at 2:22 a.m. Jenny hears footsteps and a man crying over the baby monitor.
Her husband believes there must be a reasonable explanation, and her guests agree to stay until the fateful hour to see the event for themselves.
The play’s official synopsis reads: “Jenny thinks her new house is haunted, but her husband, Sam, is having none of it.” They bump into their first guests at dinner, old friend Lauren and new partner Ben.
Speaking about her role on MailOnline ahead of her debut, Cheryl said: ‘A few people said they didn’t expect it from me. But it doesn’t feel that far to me.
“I think we like it when people are in their little box where we can find them and know what to expect. And when someone does something else, you say, “Oh.”
“But to me it feels like a natural progression, the next step if you will.”
Source: Daily Mail
Ashley Root is an author and celebrity journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for all things celebrity, Ashley is always up-to-date on the latest gossip and trends in the world of entertainment.
