Just For One Day (musical)
| Just For One Day | |
|---|---|
| The Live Aid Musical | |
 Original Old Vic production poster | |
| Music | Various |
| Lyrics | Various |
| Book | John O'Farrell |
| Basis | Live Aid |
| Premiere | 13 February 2024: The Old Vic, London |
| Productions | 2024 London |
Just For One Day is a jukebox musical written by John O'Farrell, based on the story of the 1985 benefit concert Live Aid. The musical is named after a line in David Bowie's song "Heroes", which he performed at the event.
Production history[edit]
World premiere: London (2024)[edit]
On 2 October 2023, it was announced that the musical was to have its world premiere at The Old Vic in London on 13 February 2024, following previews from 26 January, running until 30 March. The production is directed by Luke Shepard with choreography by Ebony Molina and set design by Soutra Gilmour with costume design by Fay Fullerton.[1] The cast features Julie Atherton, Ashley Campbell, Jackie Clune, Craige Els, James Hameed, Naomi Katiyo, Hope Kenna, Freddie Love, Emily Ooi and Rhys Wilkinson.
The musical was produced by Bob Geldof and Band Aid's permission.[2]
Musical numbers[edit]
The musical features songs by artists featured at the Live Aid concert, such as
- Bob Dylan
- David Bowie
- The Who
- U2
- Queen
- The Police
- Elton John
- Paul McCartney
- The Pretenders
- The Cars
- Status Quo
- Paul Weller (Weller performed with his group The Style Council at Live Aid)
- Sade
- The Boomtown Rats
- Bryan Adams
- Diana Ross
- Ultravox
Cast and characters[edit]
| Character | London[3] |
|---|---|
| 2024 | |
| Margaret | Julie Atherton |
| David | Jason Battersby |
| Adwoa | Cassiopeia Berkeley-Agyepong |
| Jim | Ashley Campbell |
| Suzanne 2024 | Jackie Clune |
| John | Olly Dobson |
| Tim | Joe Edgar |
| Bob | Craige Els |
| Bella | Kerry Enright |
| Bernie | Jo Foster |
| Maria | Collette Guitart |
| Suzanne 1985 | Hope Kenna |
| Khalil | James Hameed |
| Jemma | Naomi Katiyo |
| Kai | AJ Lewis |
| Skye | Freddie Love |
| Cover Bob | Eddie Mann |
| Harvey | Joel Montague |
| Paige | Rachel Moran |
| Amara | Abiona Omonua |
| Ellie | Emily Ooi |
| Midge | Jack Shalloo |
| Marsha | Danielle Steers |
| Alicia | Tamara Tare |
| Roger | Rhys Wilkinson |
| Malcolm | Dyd Wynford |
Critical reception[edit]
The original London production received mixed reviews. The show's performers, band and song arrangements were almost universally praised, while the dialogue, character development and what some reviewers felt was a 'white saviour' sentiment were criticised. The Guardian gave two stars out of five; it criticised the show's "pancake flat characters" and "white saviour stereotypes".[4] The Daily Telegraph gave four stars out of five and described the show as; "this rip-roaring, nostalgia-stirring new juke-box musical".[5] City a.m. gave two stars out of five. It praised the show's performers and production but criticised it as a; "Shockingly tone deaf Live Aid musical".[6] The Times gave three stars out of five, praising the show's live band but criticising the "wooden script" and "gauche celebration".[7] The London Evening Standard gave three stars out of five; it praised the show band and singing performances and, like the Guardian, criticised the show's; "corny dialogue" and "white saviourism".[8] The Independent gave three stars and described the show as; "This Live Aid musical is Bob Geldof’s tribute to... himself".[9] The New Statesman criticised the show's; "sanctimony and second-rate songs". The Financial Times gave three stars; it praised the show's arrangement and delivery of musical numbers, and also the choreography. It also noted that; "as drama it struggles" with the script; "awkward and heavy".[10]
Awards and nominations[edit]
London production[edit]
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Laurence Olivier Award[11] | Outstanding Musical Contribution (Musical Supervision, Arrangements & Orchestrations) | Matt Brind | Pending |
References[edit]
- ^ Bamigboye, Baz (2023-10-01). "Breaking Baz: Bob Geldof Collaborates On Live Aid Musical With Broadway & West End Director Luke Sheppard; Show Will World Premiere At London's Old Vic". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
- ^ Sherwood, Harriet; Arts, Harriet Sherwood; correspondent, culture (2023-10-02). "Bob Geldof gives nod of approval to the Old Vic's Live Aid musical". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
- ^ "Just For One Day". www.oldvictheatre.com. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
- ^ Akbar, Arifa (2024-02-13). "Just For One Day review – Live Aid musical has soaring voices and pancake-flat characters". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ Cavendish, Dominic (2024-02-13). "Just for One Day: this hit-filled Live Aid musical will fill you with nostalgia". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ Bloodworth, Adam (2024-02-14). "Just For One Day review: Shockingly tone deaf musical". CityAM. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ Davis, Clive (2024-02-22). "Just For One Day review — a gauche celebration of Live Aid". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ Najib, Farah (2024-02-14). "Just For One Day at the Old Vic: Live Aid show feels oddly sanitised". Evening Standard. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ "Live Aid musical Just For One Day is Sir Bob Geldof's tribute to... himself – review". The Independent. 2024-02-14. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ "Just for One Day, Old Vic review — Live Aid musical hits the stage with fresh look at epic concert". www.ft.com. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ "Olivier Awards 2024 with Mastercard nominations announced". Official London Theatre. Retrieved 2024-03-12.