Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical
Shaftesbury Theatre
Tickets
Having attended the launch of Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical at Wembley Stadium last month, I was all a-buzz about seeing the full musical live on stage at the Shaftsbury Theatre.
Not generally a fan of ‘Juke Box Musicals’ I didn’t make the effort to see the production when it played at the Old Vic last year. However, I was wrong. Just For One Day is so much more than that. It is not just a fluffy nostalgia trip about a concert with good music from undoubtedly the greatest bands of all time. ‘Just For One Day’ is the story about a group of artists collaborating against the odds to do what the government wasn’t. Through the course of one evening Just for One Day makes you laugh, cry, angers and inspires you. The show carries a political message that is as relevant today as when the original concerts were globally aired in 1985.
And the music – oh the music. The 1980s was for many the best era of music, and Live Aid’s line up on both sides of the pond is testament to that. The show is chock full of the songs performed but reworked and reimagined and given a modern twist. There are no impersonations here, each song with its new arrangement gives the show a completely fresh and contemporary feel.
The cast are STUNNINGLY talented and their vocals are exemplary. Craige Els Reprises his role from the Old Vic as foul mouthed crusader Bob Geldof. Moved into action after seeing harrowing pictures of starving Ethiopians on the BBC news, Bob gathered together a group of musicians to perform a Christmas song to help raise money. Seeing that it wasn’t enough and much of the aid wasn’t getting though he realised he needed to go big!
There are several story strands running through the show, the Mother trying to explain to her daughter the importance of Live Aid, the frustrations of the people working behind the scenes and the chilling desperation of those working on the front line in Africa. Another thread is the battle to get the tax on the single refunded from a comedic Margaret Thatcher hilariously played by Julie Atherton. Although corny at times, these stories build up a picture of life in the ‘80s and the sheer importance of this momentous concert.
This very special West Aid Musical is the next stage of the Live Aid journey. Just For One Day has the endorsement of Sir Geldof himself. He was a guest last night at the official opening and he is passionate about the show but takes the opportunity to remind us not to be complacent and to stand up for what is right.
Just for One Day – The Live Aid Musical – is a belter and well worth seeing. Those of us who are of a certain age can remember what we were doing on that July day in 1985, but this show is well worth remembering also!
Absolutely best of all, 10% of all ticket sales go to the Band Aid Foundation Trust who continue after 40years to feed and change the world. The show to date has raised nearly one million pounds. The story goes on.
This production is recommended for ages 14+, (LOTS of swearing) Parent guidance recommended.
Cast
Craige Els: Bob Geldof,
Kelly Agbowu (Marsha)
Julie Atherton (Margaret Thatcher)
Jason Battersby (David)
Jordan Cambridge-Taylor (Stevie)
Eloise Davies (Maria)
James Hameed (Khalil)
Fayth Ifil (Jemma)
Melissa Jacques (Suzanne)
Hope Kenna (young Suzanne)
AJ Lewis (Kai)
Freddie Love (Skye)
Tim Mahendran (Harvey Goldsmith)
Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky (Amara)
Jack Michael Stacey (Tim)
Emily Ooi (Ellie)
Ashley Samuels (Jim)
Sadie-Jean Shirley (Willow)
Jake Small (John Kennedy)
Tamara Tare (Alicia)
George Ure (Midge Ure)
with Kerry Enright, Evan Fox Harrison, Esme Laudat, Eddie Mann, Jaye Marshall, Lukin Simmonds and Dyd Wynford.
‘⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐