Bob Geldof gives nod of approval to the Old Vic’s Live Aid musical

Bob Geldof, a musician who used rock and pop music to help people, has given a typical caution to the Old Vic about their idea for a musical on the Live Aid concert that happened in 1985.

"I hope it's not terrible," Geldof stated, as he endorsed the theatrical performance in London.

The Old Vic has announced a new play called Just for One Day, which will have a two-month run in early 2022. The play explores the impact of a particular moment in history that caused the world to pause and brought together a staggering 1.5 billion people. This moment marks the day that rock'n'roll forever changed the course of history, and the play aims to tell the individual stories of those who were impacted by it.

The musical has been approved by the Band Aid Charitable Trust and they will receive 10% of the revenue generated from ticket sales.

The play is about a music show that took place on the 13th of July, 1985 at Wembley Stadium. That day, there were 70 musicians from all over the world who performed. It was broadcasted live and watched by more than 1.5 billion people. The concert raised $127 million to help famine victims along with another concert in Philadelphia.

Geldof came up with the idea for Live Aid when he saw distressing photos of Ethiopians facing death due to hunger. The event was organized after the huge triumph of the charity song, "Do They Know It's Christmas?" composed by Geldof and Midge Ure, which included popular bands from the UK and Ireland.

The forthcoming musical at The Old Vic theatre will showcase the musical hits of several legendary artists, including Bob Dylan, David Bowie, U2, Queen, The Who, Elton John, The Police, Paul McCartney, Status Quo, The Pretenders, The Cars, Sade, Paul Weller, The Boomtown Rats, Diana Ross, Ultravox and more.

Geldof stated that if this particular musical can inspire even just one individual to make a positive change in the world, then it will have achieved its purpose. He also expressed excitement to witness its performance at the Old Vic but hopes that it will surpass his expectations and be of great quality.

During an interview with the BBC, the spokesperson for Just for One Day clarified that the event was not meant to be a tribute to Freddie Mercury. He emphasized that there would be no one dressed up as Freddie with a poor quality mustache. Instead, the focus of the event would be on the songs themselves and how they tell a story.

Geldof shared that John O’Farrell, a writer, and Luke Sheppard, a director, came to him with a request. They acknowledged Geldof might decline but expressed their desire to pursue the project because their fathers have frequently spoken about the day in question.

Wembley saw many famous performers take to the stage, including David Bowie, Elton John, and George Michael. However, the ultimate showstopper of the day was Queen's Freddie Mercury. He delivered an electrifying performance of Bohemian Rhapsody that left the audience in awe. This particular performance was the highlight of the band's 21-minute set.

When the band finished their set, Elton John quickly made his way to Mercury's trailer to congratulate them on a performance that stood out. Dave Grohl, from the Foo Fighters, later praised Queen for their outstanding showmanship, calling them the best band he had ever seen in his life and emphasizing that they outperformed everyone else.

Geldof praised Queen, stating that they were the best band of the day. Geldof believed that Queen truly understood the concept of the global jukebox and performed hit after hit flawlessly. The concert was the perfect fit for Freddie, as he was able to showcase his talents to the entire world.

The Live Aid concert at Wembley, where Queen performed, was shown in the 2018 movie about Freddie Mercury called Bohemian Rhapsody. Rami Malek was awarded an Oscar for his portrayal of Freddie Mercury in the film.

The plot of the musical at the Old Vic depicts the story of how Live Aid was brought to fruition, and incorporates a romantic tale based on actual happenings.

Craige Els, who has acted in Ripper Street and Doctor Who on television, will take on the role of Geldof.

The musician expressed that being Bob Geldof is already difficult, but it's even harder when someone else is pretending to be you. However, the silver lining for the rock star is that the imposter has an incredible voice and performs as "stage Bob," making people believe that Geldof sings just as well.

The artistic director of the Old Vic, Matthew Warchus, expressed that Live Aid is a memorable event that everyone remembers the location they viewed it, the company they had, and the astounding achievement that was taking place in front of them.

The essence of Just for One Day lies in the recollections and unique anecdotes, serving as its vital core. I'm eagerly looking forward to the moment when viewers get the chance to experience the collective sensation that once unified the entire world.

Old Vic theater plans to provide schools with complimentary tickets and interactive learning sessions.