Comedy star Harry Hill and composer Steve Brown’s Tony (The Tony Blair Rock Opera) will receive its world premiere at London’s Park Theatre this summer.
Featuring a book by Hill and music and lyrics by Brown, the show which takes a comic look at the controversial former PM and his journey from student wannabe rock star to politician and multi-millionaire, will debut at Park200 from 1 June until 9 July 2022.
Commenting on the inspiration behind the show, Hill said: “Ask yourself this – if you bumped into Tony Blair in the street would you ask for a selfie? Gordon maybe – but Tony… Don’t think so! Think of the insta-hate!
“Yet 25 years ago there he was – the master of all he surveyed surfing his Britpop wave with Cherie at his side. Ah, Remember Britpop? The future all looked so rosy back then didn’t it?
“It’s struck me for a while that Tony Blair’s life is epic – operatic even, in its story arc. I know it doesn’t sound like obvious material for a comedy musical but we’re not laughing at Tony so much as laughing at the choices WE made back in the 90s and early 2000s.”
Brown added: “Memories of the first Pop Prime Minister; the one who rode the wave of Cool Britannia; Noel Gallagher necking champagne at Downing Street; it was like the 60s again. Optimism and groovy gear. Er, and a few wars.
“We could only convey this story in the most overblown of all possible theatrical forms: The Rock Opera… or Poperetta if you will. Fun, catchy but ultimately, a tragedy in the making.”
Presented by Park Theatre, the production is directed by Peter Rowe, with choreography by Francesca Jaynes, set and costume design by Libby Watson and sound design by Andre T.
Described as ‘Yes, Minister meets The Rocky Horror Show’, Tony (The Tony Blair Rock Opera) is the second musical from Hill and Brown, following on from I Can’t Sing, The X Factor Musical which premiered at the London Palladium in 2013.
One of the UK’s best-loved comedians, multi-award-winning comedian, presenter and author Hill has been entertaining audiences for nearly 30 years. Composer, lyricist, arranger and record producer Brown has provided all the music arrangements for Hill’s radio, television and film work since 1997. Brown’s theatre credits include Evening Standard and Critics Circle Award-winning musical Spend, Spend, Spend.
Angela Thomas
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