Freddie Mercury – Bob Geldof ‘in tears’ over Live Aid stage musical | Theatre | Entertainment

On July 13, 1985, the most famous concert in world history took place at Wembley Stadium.

Live Aid, organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for the Ethiopian famine, featured legendary sets by acts from the likes of Freddie Mercury’s Queen, U2, Sting, Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney.

Now the historic concert is to be the subject of a new stage musical, set to play at London’s Old Vic Theatre from January 26 to March 30, 2024.

The upcoming theatrical production is called Just For One Day, named after a line in David Bowie’s Heroes, and will be a behind-the-scenes retelling of how Band Aid and Live Aid came together.

The musical by John O’Farrell and Luke Sheppard is created with the full permission of the Band Aid Charitable Trust, who will receive 10 per cent of every ticket sold.

Geldof himself told the BBC: “This isn’t a tribute thing. I wouldn’t have anything to do with that.

“So, there isn’t a person dressed up as Freddie wearing a crap moustache. The songs drive the drama along.

“The story is based on actual testimony from the day. It’s real people telling their story throughout this. So it’s complex theatre.”

Geldof attended workshops for the musical alongside other Band Aid Trustees including Live Aid’s promoter Harvey Goldsmith and Lord Grade, who agreed to the BBC broadcasting of the concert.

The Boomtown Rats singer confessed: “We were blown away. I have to say there was not a dry eye in the house.”

The musician is set to be played by Craige Els, who previously featured in Ripper Street and Doctor Who.