A brand new musical based on the 1985 Live Aid benefit concerts, titled Just For One Day, is set to premiere at The Old Vic theatre in London.
Directed by Luke Sheppard (In Dreams, & Juliet, The Little Big Things), Just For One Day will have its world premiere at The Old Vic from 26 January to 30 March 2024.
The stage musical will centre on Live Aid, which became a global phenomenon in 1985, organised by Rock stars Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for the Ethiopian famine crisis. The 70 artists performed in front of an audience of 1.5 billion, and $127 million was raised for famine relief.
Written by author John O’Farrell (Mrs Doubtfire, Something Rotten), Live Aid’s Bob Geldof has collaborated on the project.
The UK part of Live Aid took place at Wembley Stadium on 13 July and included an extraordinary line-up of rock and pop icons, including Freddie Mercury and Queen, David Bowie, Phil Collins, George Michael, Elton John, Sade, Sting, The Who, U2, Paul McCartney, the Boomtown Rats, Midge Ure, Paul Weller and many more,
At the same time in the US, at the JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, Tina Turner, Led Zeppelin, Mick Jagger, Madonna, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and more also performed.
The songs in Just For One Day will be a selection of the hits performed at Live Aid, including songs from Bob Dylan, David Bowie, The Who, U2, Queen, The Police, Elton John, Paul McCartney, The Pretenders, The Cars, Status Quo, Paul Weller, Sade, The Boomtown Rats, Bryan Adams, Diana Ross, Ultravox and more.
The musical is penned by Luke Sheppard and John O’Farrell, based on stories of the people who made the show, and who were there to watch it.
One of the central characters of the musical will be Bob Geldof, and he is set to be played by Craige Els (Matilda The Musical, Doctor Who, Antigone) – main picture.
The show will also star Naomi Katiyo (Treason The Musical, Ain’t Too Proud) – main picture, plus Julie Atherton (Sister Act The Musical), Ashley Campbell (Tammy Faye), Jackie Clune (Billy Elliot The Musical), James Hameed (Eugenius!), Hope Kenna (Wendy and Peter Pan), Freddie Love (But I’m a Cheerleader), Emily Ooi, Rhys Wilkinson (& Juliet), and further casting to be announced.
Joining Sheppard in the creative team are Matthew Brind (musical supervision, arrangements and orchestration), Ebony Molina (choreography), Soutra Gilmour (set design), Fay Fullerton (costumes), Howard Hudson (lighting design), Gareth Owen (sound design), Andrzej Goulding (video and animation), and Stuart Burt (casting).
Matthew Warchus, Artistic Director of The Old Vic, said in a statement: “I had the pleasure of working with Luke Sheppard on Matilda The Musical and I have always admired the witty brilliance of John O’Farrell’s writing – I am thrilled to have these two great forces uniting on The Old Vic stage alongside an excellently talented company. For those of us who were around in the ‘80s, Saturday 13 July 1985 I’m sure will be one of those days that is forever etched in our memories. We all remember where we watched Live Aid, who we watched it with, and the pure amazement at the feat that was unfolding before our eyes. It’s these memories and individual stories that are the beating heart of Just For One Day, and I can’t wait for audiences to share in a moment that galvanised the globe once again.’
Bob Geldof said: “From seeing Just For One Day throughout its development, if this musical encourages just one person to have a positive impact for the better, then it will be a job well done. I’m looking forward to seeing it at The Old Vic… it better not be shit!”
10% from the sale of every ticket for Just For One Day will be donated to The Band Aid Trust. Since its formation in 1984, The Band Aid Charitable Trust has spent the past four decades working across Africa to support organisations dedicated to the prevention or relief of poverty and famine through charitable grants.
Also for this production, The Old Vic will work with 79 school and community groups to offer free tickets and workshops through their education and community programmes Schools Club, Take the Lead, Community Club and Matinee Idols.
Just For One Day is an Old Vic Production by permission of The Band Aid Charitable Trust, and supported by roster of big West End and Broadway producers – suggesting the show could have a life beyond The Old Vic. The producers are Jamie Wilson Productions, Kevin McCollum, Sonia Friedman Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions, Kenny Wax Ltd and the Ambassador Theatre Group.
Tickets go on general sale at 12 noon on Friday 6 October 2023.
Currently playing at The Old Vic is Pygmalion starring Bertie Carvel and Patsy Ferran, until 28 October; followed by A Christmas Carol starring Christopher Ecclestone from 11 November 2023 to 6 January 2024.
More about Just For One Day tickets at The Old Vic Theatre in London
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