EXCLUSIVE: Rock icon Bob Geldof is taking part on a level musical in regards to the world phenomenon that was once Are living Support. The display, referred to as Simply For One Day, devised and directed by means of Luke Sheppard (& Juliet), could have its international premiere on the Outdated Vic Theatre in London early subsequent 12 months.

Are living Support was once a live performance like no different, arranged by means of Geldof and fellow rock ‘n’ curler Midge Ure in July 1985 to boost budget and consciousness for the famine disaster then happening in Ethiopia. 

Simply For One Day will run on the Outdated Vic from January 26-March 30.

The United Kingdom leg of Are living Support kicked off at Wembley Stadium the place the likes of Queen with frontman Freddie Mercury, David Bowie, Elton John, George Michael, Sting, Sade, The Who, Paul McCartney, U2, Geldof’s the Boomtown Rats, Ure, Paul Weller and lots of others rocked and raved within the presence of 1000’s of spectators — together with Charles and Diana, then referred to as the Prince and Princess of Wales.

I used to be there too. It’s the largest gig I’ve ever coated.

Around the pond at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, Mick Jagger sang with Tina Turner; Madonna, Bob Dylan, Neil Younger, Corridor & Oates and others additionally carried out.

Led Zeppelin re-formed for the instance; Phil Collins performed at Wembley then boarded the Concorde so he may just play drums with Zeppelin, changing the gang’s past due drummer John Bonham.

Most of the songs carried out that day shall be incorporated in Simply For One Day.

I requested Sheppard whether or not actors will painting the rock stars who performed Are living Support.

Shaking his head, he defined that Simply For One Day would no longer be a Stars in Their Eyes affair.

Geldof shall be a personality within the display “however it’s no longer accomplished in one of those Stars in Their Eyes method. It’s no longer other people dressing up because the artists and doing it as a tribute — we’ve moved very some distance clear of that,: he stated. “It’s the entire atypical track from that day, however it’s sung by means of this fierce technology of musical theater artists, who simply blow the roof off.”

Sheppard and e book creator John O’Farrell (Rooster Run: Daybreak of the Nugget) are striking Are living Support “within the arms of the individuals who made it, who have been there, who skilled it, even the truth that my mum was once there and he or she’s advised me so much about it. That’s truly influenced some of the characters in there as neatly. So, it’s Are living Support for the folk necessarily, versus one of those tribute act model of the display,” Sheppard stressed out.

The display, Sheppard stated, seems to be at Are living Support “from all angles, together with from the technicians who’re seeking to pull off this satellite tv for pc broadcast to the first-aid employee who was once working the first-aid tent.”

After I discussed that I used to be at Wembley at the day, Sheppard’s eyes lit up and he stated, “so possibly we will have to speak about whether or not there’s a journalist personality that I’m lacking. I will have to get your information on that.”

Yeah, neatly, I don’t assume the arena wishes a rock ‘n’ roll Baz Bamigboye making a song on level. I imply, the creatives need other people to stick of their seats, no longer go away. Proper?

Sheppard stated that “we additionally take a look at it during the eyes of a man referred to as Bob who took place to be on the heart of all of it.”

“Glance, Bob Geldof is an excessively specific individual. And so the nature who embodies Bob on level has discovered inside of him, I believe, a an identical roughly fiery spirit and a an identical roughly perspective on that level. So whilst you watch the display, Bob, he’s immediately recognizable,” Sheppard stated.

Actor Craige Els (Physician Who, R.I.P.D. 2: Upward push of the Damned, Nationwide Theatre Are living: Antigone) takes at the Bob Geldof personality.

Any other key function shall be carried out by means of Naomi Katiyo, who has gave the impression in UK productions of musicals Treason, Ain’t Too Proud and What’s New Tom cat.

Sheppard stated Katiyo got here into an early workshop and “she’s simply created this type of section along us that may be a truly integral section within the display. And I believe she’s a truly thrilling younger ability to look at. And I’m truly excited for this to be her roughly main function debut.”

Sheppard got here up with the speculation for the display after assembly with West Finish manufacturer Jamie Wilson all over the pandemic. When the Are living Support live performance got here up all over their conversion, Sheppard recalled his mom telling him in regards to the tournament she had attended.

“She at all times talks about it as this second in her lifestyles the place it’s like the arena stopped nonetheless. And ever since I used to be a child, she’s at all times attempted to provide an explanation for to me what it was once love to be there, and the ability of the track and the ability of humanity coming in combination for one reason. And so I abruptly noticed this display in my head that might discuss to my mom and have fun what that second was once, but additionally assist a brand new technology perceive the context of what that tournament was once and what it intended to have all of that track in a single position,” Sheppard advised me.

After 5 workshops, Sheppard despatched a video to Outdated Vic creative director Matthew Warchus.

Sheppard labored as Warchus’ affiliate director on Matilda the Musical, which Warchus directed within the West Finish and on Broadway.

To start with, Warchus advised Sheppard he didn’t have an to be had slot for Simply One Day.

However 24 hours later, he referred to as Sheppard and advised him he’d cleared area for it.

Sheppard stated operating with Geldof “has been atypical. We don’t at all times have the similar evaluations, and that’s truly thrilling and we’re no longer afraid to argue that out and not to shy clear of disagreeing about issues within the display. At each element, we’re interrogating and we’re having a look at it from all other angles.”

The director seen that a few of the ones angles would come with criticisms that have been made about Are living Support and the way the hundreds of thousands of greenbacks that have been raised have been allotted. “We’re into all of that,” Sheppard stated.

He added that Geldof has been open and respectful “about letting us do what we need to do. He’ll let us know if he doesn’t adore it, and he’ll let us know if we expect we’ve were given one thing improper, however he needs this to be what we believe it to be,” he stated. “So we got here to him with an concept. I got here to him with a imaginative and prescient for it and he stated, ‘Proper, pass and make your model. I’m going to inform you what I believe alongside the best way.’ And he does. He does. However he expects me to come back again and say, ‘Ok, neatly for this reason I believe this bit’s vital or for this reason I need to take a look at it that method.’ ”

Sheppard persisted: “What I truly respect about him is he’s so courageous, fearless and unapologetic as neatly. I believe that’s what I would like the display to be. I would like it to be courageous. I would like it to be fearless.”

Geldof has additionally aided the manufacturing relating to track rights to one of the crucial hits carried out at Are living Support.

“Neatly, he’s an excessively persuasive guy,” Sheppard stated, smiling, ”in the similar method that Are living Support took place within the first position, it regularly feels whilst making this musical, that we’re again there in that second. It’s Bob and I hanging on a display and it’s like going again in time in some way.”

Sheppard wouldn’t ascertain which precise songs can be carried out. 

Alternatively, after I started buzzing Queen’s “We Are The Champions” and “Bohemian Rhapsody,” he nodded his head.

The Band Support Consider would be the manufacturing’s primary beneficiary.

“They’re the largest beneficiaries of the mission and everybody of the ingenious staff that experience come on board figuring out that this is on the middle and the middle of it,” Sheppard stated. “And that’s additionally an enormous a part of what’s drawn me to it as neatly. How uncommon do you get to do your task, but additionally make one thing that optimistically will truly make a large distinction on the planet?

“And each time any person buys a price ticket, each time any person buys a program, there’s a right away contribution” to the consider, he stated.

Warchus from the Outdated Vic advised me he’s “excited” to have Simply One Day at his celebrated theater. 

“The track goes to blow the roof off this position each night time,” he stated.

Different casting comprises Julie Atherton, Ashley Campbell, Jackie Clune, James Hameed, Hope Kenna, Freddie Love, Emily Ooi and Rhys Wilkinson. Additional casting shall be printed later within the 12 months.

The display’s ingenious staff comprises: musical supervision, preparations and orchestration, Matthew Brind; choreography, Ebony Molina; set design, Soutra Gilmour; costumes, Fay Fullerton; lighting fixtures design, Howard Hudson; sound created by means of Gareth Owen; with video and animation by means of Andrzej Goulding. Casting is by means of Stuart Burt.

In between bringing Simply For One Day to the Outdated Vic, Sheppard has directed the blockbuster tear-jerking new musical The Little Giant Issues @SohoPlace in London. Manufacturers Michael Harrison and Nica Burns, who based @SohoPlace, took a soar of religion in a brand new paintings by means of Nick Butcher, Tom Ling and Joe White.

The display’s in accordance with a memoir by means of Henry Fraser, who was once paralyzed from the neck down in a swimming twist of fate.

It’s some of the few displays I’ve observed in contemporary months that I’m determined to look once more.