The Big Life
MusicPaul Joseph
LyricsPaul Sirett
BookPaul Sirett and Tameka Empson
Premiere22 April 2004 (2004-04-22):
Theatre Royal Stratford East,
Productions.

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 it's 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
(2004) (2005) (2005)
Ferdy Victor Romero Evans
Bernie Neil Reidman
Lennie Chris Tummings
Dennis Marcus Powell
Zulieka Maureen Hibbert Antonia Kemi Coker
Sybil Yaa
Mary Lorna Brown Yvette Rochester Duncan
Kathy Claudia Cadette
Admiral Jason Pennycooke
Jacqueline Amanda Horlock
Reverend Geoff Aymer
Mrs Aphrodite Tameka Empson

References

  1. Ojumu, Akin (17 April 2004). "Reach for the ska". The Guardian. 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.


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