Bob Geldof is turning the story of Live Aid into a stage musical set to debut in London next year.
The musician’s latest project recounts how he and Midge Ure organised the 1985 concerts to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia, popularising the model of large-scale charity concerts.
Titled ‘Just For One Day’, the jukebox show will feature songs by the likes of Queen, Diana Ross, Elton John and Sade – among others – and will be staged at London’s Old Vic Theatre from January 26 to March 30.
He told the BBC: “This isn’t a tribute thing. I wouldn’t have anything to do with that. So, there isn’t a person dressed up as Freddie [Mercury] wearing a crap moustache. The songs drive the drama along
“The story is based on actual testimony from the day. It’s real people telling their story throughout this. So it’s complex theatre.”
Conceived by John O’Farrell and Luke Sheppard, ‘Just For One Day’ is being made with the permission of the Band Aid Charitable Trust, which will receive 10 per cent of every ticket sale.
Geldof will be played by Craige Els, whose credits include ‘Coronation Street’ and ‘Call The Midwife’, with Julie Atherton, Ashley Campbell, Jackie Clune, James Hameed, Naomi Katiyo, Hope Kenna, Freddie Love, Emily Ooi and Rhys Wilkinson also set to appear.
Tickets go on general sale at 12pm BST on October 6.
