Ben Hall, Samantha Jade to star in Pretty Woman: The Musical

A former Neighbours star will take the lead when the Pretty Woman: The Musical kicks off a national tour in Brisbane later this year.

Ben Hall and Samantha Jade who will perform the lead roles in the stage adaptation of Pretty Woman. Picture Lachie Millard

WA-born actor Ben Hall has been unveiled as the leading man in the Australian production of Pretty Woman: The Musical, joining pop star Samantha Jade.

Hall, best known for his role as Ned Willis on Neighbours and the Robbie Williams biopic Better Man, will play suave businessman Edward Lewis - the character made famous by Richard Gere in the 1990 blockbuster.

He’ll star opposite Jade as Vivian Ward when the hit Broadway and West End show makes its national debut at QPAC in early October.

“When we first heard him sing at the auditions … we knew that Australian audiences would instantly be besotted by him,” producer Suzanne Jones said.

Hall admitted the weight of the role took time to sink in.

“But then, once (the news) settled, it was joyous, just like ‘right, here we go’,” he said.

“There’s this pressure there to have this Richard Gere level of poise and charisma and charm … but we’re going to be creating our own thing. It’s the same story, but we can bring our own essence to it.”

Jade said despite only meeting Hall shortly before their official announcement, the pair clicked instantly. “We met and we’re like, ‘ah!’, straight away it was like we’ve known each other for a long time,” she said.

“The chemistry was so natural ... they just trusted us,” Jade said.

Pretty Woman: The Muscial will play at Brisbane’s QPAC Lyric Theatre from October 5.

Originally published as Ben Hall, Samantha Jade to star in Pretty Woman: The Musical