- Venue Leicester Square Theatre, London
- Performance dates Booking to 27 July 2025
- Running time 2 hours (including interval)
Get Wilko: Love and Death and Rock ‘n’ Roll tickets in London
Following a successful season at Southwark Playhouse Borough, the true story of Wilko Johnson, Dr Feelgood co-founder and rock ‘n’ roll pioneer, is transferring into the West End.
Bringing to life his words and music, Jonathan Maitland’s (The Interview, An Audience With Jimmy Saville) biographic gig theatre Wilko: Love and Death and Rock ‘and ‘n’ Roll is a tribute to a man who left an indelible mark on the music scene.
In 2012, Wilko Johnson, the iconic rock star and founder of legendary Essex band Dr Feelgood, was told he had inoperable cancer and a year to live.
Refusing all treatment, he decided to spend his last months living meaningfully: seeing the people, places and things which meant most to him during his remarkable life. Then, a miracle happened…
A mixture of words, rock ‘n’ roll, and quotes from the man himself, Wilko: Love and Death and Rock ‘n’ Roll tells the amazing, uplifting true story of Wilko, the Canvey Island legend.
An impressive cast includes musician and actor Johnson Willis (Return to the Forbidden Planet; The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe) in the title role of Wilko Johnson, with Jon House (Witness For The Prosecution) as Dr. Feelgood co-founder, lead singer and frontman Lee Brilleaux; Georgina Fairbanks (The Unicorn) as Wilko’s childhood sweetheart and wife, Irene Knight; Georgina Field (Blonde Bombshells of 1943) as Dr. Feelgood bassist Sparko; and David John (Loot) as drummer Big Figure.
A play with live music, Wilko: Love and Death and Rock ‘n’ Roll transfers to Southwark Playhouse Borough following critical and audience acclaim in its initial run at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch in 2023.
Wilko: Love and Death and Rock ‘n’ Roll is playing at Leicester Square Theatre in London from 3 to 27 July 2025.
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Performance Information
Check booking calendar for full details
- Evenings
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
- Matinees
- Thursday
- Saturday
- Sunday
- Group Bookings For groups of 10+ enquire here
Stars and Creatives
Who is in the cast of Wilko: Love and Death and Rock ‘n’ Roll?
Johnson Willis as Wilko Johnson, Jon House as Lee Brilleaux, Georgina Fairbanks as Irene Knight, Georgina Field as Sparko, and David John as Big Figure.
Who are the creative team of Wilko: Love and Death and Rock ‘n’ Roll?
Written by Jonathan Maitland
Directed by Dugald Bruce Lockhart
Designer Nicolai Hart-Hansen; Lighting designer James Stokes; Sound designer Simon Slater, Producer Denise Silvey
Important Notes
Content warning: Contains adult themes including death, serious illness, emotional abuse, physical violence, and strong language.
Venue Information
Leicester Square Theatre , 6 Leicester Place, London, WC2H 7BX
Nearest Tube or Train: Leicester Square (Northern line, Piccadilly line)
Nearest Buses: 14,19, 22, 24, 29, 38, 40, 176
Google
AppleCritics' reviews of Wilko: Love and Death and Rock ‘n’ Roll
★★★★ “An extraordinary story…magnificent” - The Reviews Hub
★★★★ “Director Dugald Bruce-Lockhart infuses his subject with a never-ending supply of kinetic charisma” - Broadway World
"Charismatic reincarnation of a rock legend" - The Arts Desk
“A stonking star turn… Johnson Willis is wonderful” - The Guardian
Frequently Asked Questions
News about Wilko: Love and Death and Rock ‘n’ Roll
Wilko: Love and Death and Rock ‘n’ Roll to transfer to Leicester Square Theatre this July 2025
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