Hit new show Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical is coming to the West End, playing the Shaftesbury Theatre in London from May 2025.
The show premiered at The Old Vic theatre in London earlier this year, scoring positive reviews from the critics, and playing to a record-breaking 99% full houses across the run.
Just For One Day is set to play the Shaftesbury Theatre in London from 15 May 2025, booking to 10 January 2026.
Directed by Luke Sheppard (& Juliet, Starlight Express), Just For One Day is written by John O’Farrell (Mrs Doubtfire, Something Rotten), with Live Aid’s Bob Geldof collaborating on the project.
The show will once again star Craige Els (Doctor Who, Matilda The Musica) as Bob Geldof, following his acclaimed performance in The Old Vic production, with further casting to be announced.
There have been consistent rumours about a West End transfer for the show. Since The Old Vic run, the show has also announced that it is transferring to Toronto’s CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre from 28 January to 16 March 2025.
What is Just For One Day about?
The musical is about Live Aid, the global concert phenomenon that took place on 13 July 1985, organised by Rock stars Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for the Ethiopian famine crisis.
The songs in Just For One Day are many of the hits performed at the Live Aid event, 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.
Live Aid 40th anniversary
The opening of Just For One Day at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London in May 2025 is neatly timed for the 40th anniversary of Live Aid on 13 July 2025.
A number of celebrations will take place to mark the 40th anniversary of Live Aid in 2025, and Just For One Day the musical in the West End will play a central part in celebrating this important music milestone with a special gala performance on 13th July 2025.
This December is also the 40th anniversary of hit charity single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”, the original spark which led to the Live Aid event. Sir Bob Geldof plans to celebrate with a 40th anniversary supercut of the song.
The cast of Just For One Day
Craige Els is to star as Sir Bob Geldof in the West End production of Just For One Day, with further casting for the West End production to be announced.
The Old Vic’s cast included Craige Els (Matilda The Musical, Doctor Who, Antigone) as Bob Geldof; Naomi Katiyo (Treason The Musical, Ain’t Too Proud) as Jemma; Julie Atherton (Sister Act The Musical) as Margaret Thatcher; Jack Shalloo as Midge Ure; Hope Kenna (Wendy and Peter Pan) as Suzanne in 1985 and Jackie Clune (Billy Elliot The Musical) as Suzanne 2024; Jason Battersby as David; Ashley Campbell (Tammy Faye) as Jim; Olly Dobson (Back to the Future) as John; Joe Edgar as Tim; Jo Foster as Bernie; Collette Guitart as Maria; James Hameed (Eugenius!) as Khalil; Freddie Love (But I’m a Cheerleader) as Skye; Joel Montague (Hamilton) as Harvey Goldsmith; Abiona Omonua as Amara; Emily Ooi (To Wong Foo) as Ellie; Danielle Steers (Six) as Marsha;Tamara Tare as Alicia; Rhys Wilkinson (& Juliet) as Roger/Assistant Dance Captain; Cassiopeia Berkeley-Agyepong as Adwoa; Kerry Enright as Bella,; AJ Lewis as Kai; Rachel Moran as Paige/Dance Captain; Dyd Wynford as Malcolm; Eddie Mann as Understudy Bob.
Also in the creative team are musical supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Matthew Brind, choreography by Ebony Molina, set design by Soutra Gilmour, costume design by Fay Fullerton, lighting design by Howard Hudson, sound design by Gareth Owen, video and animation by Andrzej Goulding, and casting by Stuart Burt.
The show is produced with permission of The Band Aid Charitable Trust, which will benefit from 10% of all ticket sales.
Who is producing Just For One Day?
The huge list of producers attached include The Old Vic, Jamie Wilson Productions (Mrs Doubtfire, Sister Act), Kevin McCollum (The Notebook), Sonia Friedman Productions (The Hills of California, Stranger Things: The First Shadow), Gavin Kalin Productions (Cabaret, Plaza Suite, Player Kings), Kenny Wax Ltd (Six The Musical), the Ambassador Theatre Group (Cabaret, Pretty Woman, Harry Clarke), Canada’s Mirvish Productions, Broadway – and London – theatre owner Nederlander Theatres, No Guarantees (A Mirror, The Hills of California), Burnt Umber Productions (Stereophonic, Appropriate), and Stephen C Byrd (Cabaret, Sister Act).
Bob Geldof said in a statement: “My comment before I saw Just For One Day was that “It better not be s***”. It’s not s***! It is FANTASTIC. Joyous, largely true, and the music is beyond miraculous. I have never been to a show where night after night there is a standing ovation at THE INTERMISSION!! Amazing.”
Jamie Wilson, Producer of Just For One Day said: “Just For One Day was the fastest selling musical in The Old Vic’s history. The story of how the world united together through music has captivated audiences of all ages. We are thrilled to be able to bring this production to The Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End, opening on the 40th Anniversary of the Live Aid concerts with the same timeless songs, renowned creative team and a hugely talented company.”
When is Just For One Day playing in London?
Just For One Day is playing at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London from 15 May 2025, booking to 10 January 2026.
Currently playing at the Shaftesbury Theatre is Mrs Doubtfire, until 26 April 2025.
Book tickets to Just For One Day at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London
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