Just For One Day - Shaftesbury Theatre - Review

‘It’s 12 noon in London, 7am in Philadelphia, and around the world it’s time for Live Aid’

That was nearly exactly 40 years ago, when Live Aid took to the airwaves around the globe, two concerts on two continents, world famous music acts and millions watching either live or via their television screens. Perhaps one of the greatest concerts ever to take place, and it was all in aid of the famine of Ethiopia, the idea the brainchild of one Bob Geldof. And it is the story of Live Aid, and how it came to be, that ‘Just For One Day’ sets out to tell in a history lesson like no other.

Originally seen at the Old Vic Theatre, and following a run in Toronto, ‘Just For One Day’ is now well and truly settled into its West End Home, the Shaftesbury Theatre, which eight times a week becomes a concert venue where the talented cast belt out a multitude of well-known hits whilst pushing home the ever-important story. It would be easy to forget that Live Aid had this incredibly vital purpose, it was always so much more than just a concert, and this show puts that in the forefront.

Bob Geldof was beginning to fear that it was the end of his career with his group ‘The Boomtown Rats’ as the world seemed to be moving away from punk and rock and roll, but when he found himself wondering what was next, a news report shown on television changed everything. Famine in Ethiopia, and Geldof couldn’t stand by and do nothing about it. Hence the creation of ‘Do They Know Its Christmas?’, perhaps one of the most famous Christmas songs out there, and the following Live Aid Concert.

Told as a history lesson like no other, in ‘Just For One Day’ we meet Suzanne (Melissa Jacques) preparing to send her daughter Gemma (Fayth Ifil) off to University and as she presents her with the Live Aid book she got when she attended the Wembley concert, it’s nothing more than history to the young Gemma. Enter Bob Geldof, in all his double denim clad, swearing, confidently boastful shining glory, portrayed by Craige Ells. Whilst this Geldof may, of first, agree with Gemma and her idea that Live Aid is something to be studied in history class, Suzanne pleads ‘show her Bob’. So, he does. We are transported back to the eighties, to a young Suzanne (Hope Kenna) on her Saturday job in a record shop, dreaming of marrying Freddie Mercury whilst giving dreamy looks to her co-worker, the posh and perhaps a little bit geeky Tim (Jack Micheal Stacey).  Both Suzanne and Bob watch that news story, and their worlds collide, Suzanne as the music loving teenager who simply has to be at Live Aid, and the musician turned famous charity campaigner who simply has to use what he knows to change the world.

What follows is a very clever, extremely well put together deep dive into the creation of Live Aid through the eyes of Geldof, Suzanne and Tim, alongside music producer Harvey Goldsmith (Tim Mahendran), fellow music star Midge Ure (George Ure – No Relation) and Red Cross worker at the frontline of the human disaster Amara (Rhianne Louise Mccaulsky). Packed full of music that most people would instantly recognise, including songs from Queen, Elton John, David Bowie, Bryan Adams, The Police, Status Quo and The Beatles, to name but a few, ‘Just For One Day’ has a crowd appeal that simply cannot be denied.

As Geldof, Craige Els gives a commanding performance, balancing the comedy that comes with him being such an outspoken, confident, say it how it is character and the heart that he brings forward as someone who truly cares for those who so desperately need help. Everything he does has a purpose, from making the big promises to ensure a spectacular concert to fighting with the government to guarantee that every penny made goes to the worthy cause. Els makes it so that the audience can clearly see every thought, every decision, every reason, like cogs turning in his head, and its eye-opening and captivating to witness.

Melissa Jacques and Hope Kenna, between them, make Suzanne a lovable character full of light and love, kind-hearted and true. She is the personification of the idea that just one person can make a difference. Jacques and Fayth Ifil as Gemma as truly believable as mother and daughter, with Ifil’s powerful vocals impressing throughout whilst Kenna is the embodiment of youthful joy, whilst being incredibly driven to do the right thing. In a partnership with Jack Michael Stacey’s Tim, they are sweet, lovable and incredibly comedic, bouncing off each other’s seemingly endless energy.

Amara is the voice of truth of the piece, the women stood facing the famine, trying her best to do everything she can against all the odds. Played by Rhianne Louise Mccaulsky, complete with some incredible vocals, she is the character that powerfully brings the centre of the story home with a punch.

Comedy comes in many forms throughout this production, from funny clever comments from BBC reporters, Live Aid attendees and workers, and the everyday people who brought the Band Aid single to do their bit, all played by the talented ensemble cast. You can also rely on Tim Mahendran’s Harvey Goldsmith, George Ure’s Midge Ure and Jake Small’s John Kennedy for laughter, most of which comes from trying to keep up with Geldof’s constantly bigger and bolder ideas. Julie Atherton also earns many a laugh as Margaret Thatcher, painted here as the almost pantomime like villain who takes money from the victims.

Taking a step back from the powerful, inspiring story, and the ridiculously catchy, brilliantly performed music for a moment, and there is one other thing that simply has to be praised with this production. ‘Just For One Day’ features perhaps one of the most diverse casts that I have seen on a West End Stage recently, and that should be celebrated.

Packed full of songs that most will recognise, a story that may be 40 years old but still holds a powerful message of doing what you can to help and the importance of awareness of what is happening outside of our comfortable lives, and an insanely talented cast who will blow you away with their vocals, there is something for everyone to love in ‘Just For One Day’. Part rock and roll concert, part history lesson, part call to arms to continue to stand up for what you believe in and help those in need, recipe for overall success.