A new adaptation of Rent is coming to London's West End

What do you get if you mix Denise Van Outen with Siobhan Donaghy and the creative talents behind Kylie Minogue, PJ Harvey and Jimiroquai? You get Rent, of course! Yes, hold on to your seats because the hit musical that broke convention when it first opened is coming back to London. With a 21st century remix.

Based on Puccini’s La Boheme, this new version of Jonathan Larson’s musical has been remixed for a whole new generation, with a young and talented cast that includes Denise Van Outen (The Big Breakfast; Any Dream Will Do!; Chicago) as Maureen, ex-Sugababe Siobhan Donaghy as Mimi, Leon Lopez (Brookside; Hollyoaks) as Collins, Luke Evans (Taboo; Avenue Q) as Roger, Oliver Thornton (Les Mis; The Phantom of the Opera) as Mark, Jay Webb as Angel, Francesca Jackson as Joanne and Craig Stein as Benny.

The controversial, boundary breaking musical tells the story of a group of young New Yorker’s struggling to achieve their dreams in the face of reality. This brand new production, directed by William Baker reinvents Rent as the iconic musical; an emotional and heart wrenching tale which takes the audience into a world of ambition, uncertainty, love and betrayal.

Rent was one of the first Broadway musicals to clearly feature gay, bisexual, lesbian, and transgender characters. Not only is the musical considered revolutionary for bringing controversial topics to a traditionally conservative medium, but it is also credited with increasing the popularity of musical theater in the younger generation.

Following previews beginning the 2nd October, Rent is set to open at London’s Duke of York's Theater on 16th October 2007, through until 5th April 2008.

In the meantime, here’s a few photos of the cast to feast your eyes upon…