Get Up, Stand Up!
The Bob Marley Musical
2021 West End poster
MusicBob Marley
LyricsBob Marley
BookLee Hall
BasisLife and music of Bob Marley
Premiere20 October 2021 (2021-10-20): Lyric Theatre, London
Productions2021 West End

Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical is a musical based on the life and music of Bob Marley written by Lee Hall.

Production history

West End premiere (2021-2023)

The musical made its world premiere at the Lyric Theatre in London's West End on 20 October 2021, with previews from 1 October, starring Arinzé Kene as Bob Marley.[1] The musical was originally due to open on 6 February 2021, but was postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.[2]

In July 2020, it was announced that Clint Dyer had replaced Dominic Cooke as the production's director.[3] The musical is choreographed by Shelley Maxwell, with set design by Chloe Lamford, costume design by Lisa Duncan, lighting design by Charles Balfour, sound design by Tony Gayle, sound effect design by Ben Grant and video design by Tal Yarden. Musical supervision and arrangements are by Phil Bateman, wigs, hair and make-up by Campbell Young, orchestration by Simon Hale, musical direction by Sean Green, and casting direction by Pippa Ailion.[4]

The production was nominated for 4 Laurence Olivier Awards in 2022, including Best New Musical and Best Actor in a Musical for Kene.[5]

In March 2022, Michael Duke took over the role of Bob Marley. Duke was previously the role’s alternate until Arinzé Kene’s departure.[6]

On 4 August 2022, it was announced that the musical would make its final performance on 8 January 2023.[7]

Cast and characters

Character West End (2021)
Bob Marley Arinzé Kene
Alternate Bob Marley Michael Duke
Rita Marley Gabrielle Brooks
Cindy Breakspeare Shanay Holmes
Judy Mowatt Sophia Mackay
Marcia Griffiths / I Three Melissa Brown-Taylor
Bunny Wailer Jacade Simpson
Peter Tosh Natey Jones

Notable West End replacements

Musical numbers

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominee Result
2022 Laurence Olivier Award Best New Musical Nominated
Best Actor in a Musical Arinzé Kene Nominated
Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical Gabrielle Brooks Nominated
Best Original Score or New Orchestrations Simon Hale Won

See also

References

  1. ^ Limited, London Theatre Direct (2021-05-17). "First Look: Images of Arinzé Kene from Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical have been released!". London Theatre Direct. Retrieved 2021-06-08.
  2. ^ Thomas, Sophie (2021-02-02). "'Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical' postponed to October 2021". London Theatre Guide. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  3. ^ "Clint Dyer replaces Dominic Cooke to direct Bob Marley musical". The Guardian. 2020-07-22. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  4. ^ "Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley musical extends West End run! | London Theatre Direct". www.londontheatredirect.com. Retrieved 2022-01-10.
  5. ^ Yossman, K. J. (2022-03-08). "Eddie Redmayne, Jessie Buckley and Emma Corrin Nominated for Olivier Awards 2022". Variety. Retrieved 2022-03-09.
  6. ^ "'Get up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical' tickets available through January 2023". 11 March 2022.
  7. ^ "'GET UP STAND UP! THE BOB MARLEY MUSICAL will play its final performance on 8 January 2023". 4 August 2022.

External links

Bob Marley and the Wailers
Laurence Olivier Award for Best Original Score or New Orchestrations
Categories