On January 25, 2013, "The X Factor" executive producer Simon Cowell attended a workshop of "The X Factor" stage musical to decide if he wanted to produce the show or not. He tweeted: "Am on my way to see the workshop of X factor the musical." Three hours later, he then announced on Twitter: "The X factor musical is sensational! It's a yes from me."
As previously reported, "The X Factor" stage musical (whose title is to be announced) is being prepared as a West End production to debut in London sometime in 2014. Former "TV Burp" star Harry Hill is writing the musical's script.
Two of the actors who performed in the workshop also went on Twitter to talk about the workshop.
Simon Lipkin tweeted: That was a very strange but awesome experience! Just performed X factor the musical for @SimonCowell, & he only bloody liked it! #fouryesses"
Craig Mather, who currently plays Mairus in the West End production of "Les Misérables," tweeted: "What a funny day. Had a blast workshopping X factor the musical. And the fact that mr @SimonCowell himself loved it was an added bonus!"
Actor/comedian Matt Lucas (who played Tweede Dum and Tweedle Dee in Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland" movie), wasn't an actor in the workshop but he tweeted: "I've just watched an amazing workshop performance of a new musical written by Harry Hill & Steve Brown about The X Factor. Truly hilarious."
As previously reported, Cowell said that he'll probably be involved in the casting of that character and that the auditions just might end up on TV.
Cowell told The Sun in an January 2013 interview: “Musicals are not my business but I’m going to approach it like I would a TV show. The team have spent a long time working on this and from the very first time I met Harry Hill he was absolutely besotted with the idea, so we’ll see. Who would play me? We may have to do an audition show. That would be a good idea.”
In an interview on ITV1's "This Morning" on December 7, 2012, Hill commented on what kind of actor he thinks should be cast as Cowell in the musical: “I think it's got to be someone of a small stature, but someone with a great voice. We do need a big star. Perhaps the viewers can suggest someone?”
In an August 2012 interview with The Telegraph, Hill commented on the script draft for the musical: "[Simon Cowell] likes it, so we're doing it. It's like a 'TV Burp' treatment, a celebration/piss-take, to get the lovers and haters in. It's not caustic, like 'Jerry Springer: The Opera.' That would be quite an easy route to take, but we want it to be funny above everything."
News of "The X Factor" musical first broke in September 2011, when it was reported that Cowell had reached out to Hill to work on the musical.
Hill's "TV Burp" show ended in May 2012, after 11 years on the air.
There is no word yet if "The X Factor" musical will feature all original music that was written specifically for the musical (which is highly unlikely) or if the musical will consist of a collection of hits (which is much more likely).
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