Live Aid — the most famous benefit concert of all time — is becoming a musical. The theatrical iteration of the 1985 show is called Just for One Day, and will run in London, UK, early next year.
From January 26 to March 30, the musical will call the Old Vic Theatre home. It will feature songs played at Live Aid from acts like Queen, U2, Elton John, Paul McCartney and Sting — just don't expect any actors portraying the musicians themselves.
"I wouldn't have anything to do with that. So, there isn't a person dressed up as Freddie wearing a crap mustache. The songs drive the drama along," Live Aid co-organizer Bob Geldof explained [via BBC].
The drama in question includes a "love story inspired by real events," as well as the story of how Live Aid and charity organization Band Aid came together. The show is being produced with Band Aid Charitable Trust's full permission, and 10 percent of ticket sales will be donated there.
Just for One Day was originally conceived by John O'Farrell (writer of the Mrs. Doubtfire musical) and Luke Sheppard, director of the musical & Juliet. According to Geldof, it took him and co-organizer Midge Ure some convincing before giving it the green light.
"They came and said, 'We know you are going to say no, but we want to do it because our dads have never stopped talking about this day. And we think it's theatre,'" he said, before explaining they were "blown away" by the show: "I have to say there was not a dry eye in the house."
Live Aid was put on at Wembley Stadium on July 13, 1985. Geldof and Ure organized the show to raise money for Ethiopia in the midst of a famine, and the rest is history.
From January 26 to March 30, the musical will call the Old Vic Theatre home. It will feature songs played at Live Aid from acts like Queen, U2, Elton John, Paul McCartney and Sting — just don't expect any actors portraying the musicians themselves.
"I wouldn't have anything to do with that. So, there isn't a person dressed up as Freddie wearing a crap mustache. The songs drive the drama along," Live Aid co-organizer Bob Geldof explained [via BBC].
The drama in question includes a "love story inspired by real events," as well as the story of how Live Aid and charity organization Band Aid came together. The show is being produced with Band Aid Charitable Trust's full permission, and 10 percent of ticket sales will be donated there.
Just for One Day was originally conceived by John O'Farrell (writer of the Mrs. Doubtfire musical) and Luke Sheppard, director of the musical & Juliet. According to Geldof, it took him and co-organizer Midge Ure some convincing before giving it the green light.
"They came and said, 'We know you are going to say no, but we want to do it because our dads have never stopped talking about this day. And we think it's theatre,'" he said, before explaining they were "blown away" by the show: "I have to say there was not a dry eye in the house."
Live Aid was put on at Wembley Stadium on July 13, 1985. Geldof and Ure organized the show to raise money for Ethiopia in the midst of a famine, and the rest is history.
