Just For One Day

Just For One Day photos

Just For One Day description

Just For One Day – 1984’s Live Aid revisited on stage

Were you there, glued to the TV, or have you heard about the amazing historic charity concert that changed the world? Bob Geldof and his crew pulled off an almighty achievement with the Live Aid, and it changed the world for good.

The times were tough: tricky politics, social upheaval, a boom-and-bust economy at its worst. But as politicians stood by and did nothing the ordinary people of the world pulled together to ultimately make an eye-watering $127 million in famine relief.

Almost forty years later the Band Aid Charitable Trust is still going strong. It and the Old Vic are thrilled to announce the world premiere of Just For One Day, a brand new musical written by the best-selling author John O’Farrell, who gave us Mrs Doubtfire and Something Rotten. Directed by Luke Sheppard (& Juliet, The Little Big Things) it’s on stage from 26th January to 30th March 2024, for a strictly limited run. Don’t miss this landmark feel-good production.

What's the story behind Just For One Day?

Just For One Day is supported by Jamie Wilson Productions, Kevin McCollum, Sonia Friedman Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions, Kenny Wax Ltd and the Ambassador Theatre Group.

The Live Aid concert saw 70 of the world’s best musical artists performing free to a 1.5 billion audience over TV links from Wembley Stadium and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia. This musical reveals the story behind the show, featuring music by Bob Dylan, David Bowie, The Who, U2, Queen, The Police, Elton John, Paul McCartney, The Pretenders, The Cars, Status Quo, Paul Weller, Sade, The Boomtown Rats, Bryan Adams, Diana Ross, Ultravox and more. Just For One Day tickets are yours on our site, with a huge choice of tickets and seats.

About Just For One Day

The Book is by John O’Farrell and the Director is Luke Sheppard. The Musical Supervision, Arrangements and Orchestration are by Matthew Brind, the Choreography is by Ebony Molina, the Set is by Soutra Gilmour, and the Costumes are by Fay Fullerton. Lighting comes from Howard Hudson and Sound by Gareth Owen. The Video and Animation is by Andrzej Goulding and the Casting by Stuart Burt CDG.

The cast of Just For One Day includes Julie Atherton, Ashley Campbell, Jackie Clune, Craige Els, James Hameed, Naomi Katiyo, Hope Kenna, Freddie Love, Emily Ooi and Rhys Wilkinson. The remainder of the cast will be clarified nearer the time.

As Matthew Warchus, the Artistic Director of The Old Vic, says: “I had the pleasure of working with Luke Sheppard on Matilda The Musical and I have always admired the witty brilliance of John O’Farrell’s writing – I am thrilled to have these two great forces uniting on The Old Vic stage alongside an excellently talented company.

For those of us who were around in the ‘80s, Saturday 13 July 1985 I’m sure will be one of those days that is forever etched in our memories. We all remember where we watched Live Aid, who we watched it with, and the pure amazement at the feat that was unfolding before our eyes. It’s these memories and individual stories that are the beating heart of Just For One Day, and I can’t wait for audiences to share in a moment that galvanised the globe once again.”

Bob Geldof himself commented in his own inimitable style: “From seeing Just For One Day throughout its development, if this musical encourages just one person to have a positive impact for the better, then it will be a job well done. I'm looking forward to seeing it at The Old Vic... it better not be shit!”

Buy tickets for Just For One Day

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Playing at Old Vic Theatre

103 The Cut, London, SE1 8NB GB (venue info)

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Just For One Day video