Share this article

New West End musical Just For One Day has welcomed two new cast members to its run at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London.

Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical is now playing at the Shaftesbury Theatre, booking to 10 January 2026.

This week Ahmed Hamad (A Christmas Carol, My Fair Lady) has joined the cast of the show playing Jim, replacing Ashley Samuels (The Big Life).

Also actor and composer Matthew Harvey (Les Miserables) has joined the ensemble of the musical this week as Anthony, replacing James Hameed (Khalil).

Last month, Just For One Day celebrated the 40th anniversary of Live Aid with a special performance at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

The exhilarating new musical tells the story of Live Aid, and captures the excitement and history of that incredible day, featuring songs by Bob Dylan, David Bowie, The Who, U2, Queen, Madonna, The Police, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Diana Ross and more of the iconic artists who made history at the simultaneous charitable concerts in London and Philadelphia.

Live Aid was organised by rock stars Bob Geldof and Midge Ure and concert promoter Harvey Goldsmith to raise money for the Ethiopian famine crisis. The concerts proved to be an unprecedented global music event that brought 1.5 billion people together, and changed live music forever, raising more than £114m for famine relief.

The West End show has partnered with the Band Aid Charitable Trust and is donating 10% of all profits to the charity.

The London cast of Just For One Day

The talented cast of Just For One Day is led by Craige Els (Doctor Who, Matilda The Musical) as Bob Geldof, with Tim Mahendran as Harvey Goldsmith; Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky as Amara; Julie Atherton as Margaret Thatcher; Ahmed Hamad as Jim; Jake Small as John Kennedy; Tamara Tare as Alicia; Jason Battersby as David; Kelly Agbowu as Marsha; Jordan Cambridge-Taylor as Stevie; Eloise Davies as Maria; Matthew Harvey as Anthony; Fayth Ifil as Jemma; Melissa Jacques as Suzanne; Hope Kenna as Young Suzanne; AJ Lewis as Kai; Freddie Love as Skye; Jack Michael Stacey as Tim; Emily Ooi as Ellie; and George Ure as Midge Ure.

Swings are Kerry Enright (Bella); Evan Fox Harrison (Archie); Esme Laudat (Seraphina); Jaye Marshall (Rhianne / Dance Captain); Sadie-Jean Shirley (Willow / Assistant Dance Captain); Lukin Simmonds (Vill); and Dyd Wynford (Malcolm). Eddie Mann is Bob Walking Understudy.

The musical originally premiered last year at The Old Vic Theatre in London, playing to a record-breaking 99% full houses across the run. Read a round-up of reviews from The Old Vic and the Shaftesbury Theatre.

Just For One Day is written by John O’Farrell (Mrs. Doubtfire, Something Rotten!) and directed by Luke Sheppard (& Juliet, Starlight Express).

The creative team also includes Musical Supervision, Arrangements & Orchestration by Matthew Brind, Choreography by Ebony Molina, Set by Soutra Gilmour, Costume by Fay Fullerton, Lighting by Howard Hudson, Sound by Gareth Owen, Video & Projection by Andrzej Goulding and Casting by Stuart Burt CDG.

Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical is produced by Jamie Wilson Productions, Kevin McCollum, Sonia Friedman Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions, Kenny Wax Ltd, The Ambassador Theatre Group, Mirvish Productions, Nederlander Theatres, No Guarantees, Burnt Umber Productions, Stephen C Byrd, Willette & Manny Klausner and The Old Vic by permission of The Band Aid Charitable Trust.

Book tickets to Just For One Day

Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical is now playing at the Shaftesbury Theatre, booking to 10 January 2026.

Book tickets to Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London

Just For One Day: The Live Aid Musical - Tour
Book tickets
Just For One Day: The Live Aid Musical - Tour
Main photo: Just For One Day - Ahmed Hamad and Matthew Harvey (Photos via agents)

Related News

See all

Latest News

See all