The Big Life (musical)

The Big Life
MusicPaul Joseph
LyricsPaul Sirett
BookPaul Sirett and Tameka Empson
Premiere22 April 2004: Theatre Royal Stratford East
Productions2004 Theatre Royal Stratford East
2005 Apollo Theatre
2024 Theatre Royal Stratford East

The Big Life is a British ska musical with book and lyrics by Paul Sirett and music by Paul Joseph, originally produced by the Theatre Royal Stratford East in 2004. It combines Shakespeare's Love's Labours Lost with the story of the Windrush immigrants[1][2] (those Jamaicans who arrived in Britain aboard HMT Empire Windrush in 1948, which began an era of multiculturalism).

The musical transferred to the West End's Apollo Theatre in 2005.[3] It was nominated for Best New Musical at the 2006 Olivier Awards.

The musical is being revived for its 20th anniversary at Stratford East in early 2024 with previews on 16 February, an opening night on 22 February, and performances to 30 March.[4]

Cast and characters

Character Theatre Royal Stratford East Theatre Royal Stratford East Apollo Theatre Theatre Royal Stratford East
(2004) (2005) (2005) (2024)
Ferdy Victor Romero Evans Ashley Samuels
Bernie Neil Reidman Nathanael Campbell
Lennie Chris Tummings Karl Queensborough
Dennis Marcus Powell Khalid Daley
Zulieka Maureen Hibbert Antonia Kemi Coker Rachel John
Sybil Yaa Gabrielle Brooks
Mary Lorna Brown Yvette Rochester Leanne Henlon
Kathy Claudia Cadette Juliet Agnes
Admiral Jason Pennycooke Danny Bailey
Jacqueline Amanda Horlock Beth Elliott
Reverend Geoff Aymer Gabriel Fleary
Mrs Aphrodite Tameka Empson

Awards and Nominations

Original West End Production

Year Award Category Nominee Result
2006 Laurence Olivier Awards Best New Musical Nominated
Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical Tameka Empson Nominated

References

  1. ^ Ojumu, Akin (17 April 2004). "Reach for the ska". The Guardian. London. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  2. ^ "The Big Life, Theatre Royal Stratford East, London". The Independent. 29 April 2004. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  3. ^ "The Big Life, Apollo Theatre, London". The Independent. 25 May 2005. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  4. ^ Thomas, Sophie (4 April 2023). "'The Big Life' to celebrate 20th anniversary at Theatre Royal Stratford East". London Theatre. Retrieved 13 November 2023.


Stub icon

This musical theatre related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.