Just For One Day (musical)

Just For One Day is a jukebox musical written by John O'Farrell, based on the story of the 1985 benefit concert Live Aid. The musical is named after a line in David Bowie's song "Heroes", which he performed at the event.

London (2024)
Just For One Day received its world premiere at The Old Vic in London, and was directed by Luke Shepard, choreography by Ebony Molina, and set design by Soutra Gilmour. Performances began on 26 January 2024, in previews, with an official opening night on 13 February 2024. The production closed on 30 March 2024. The musical was the Old Vic's fastest-selling production and was sold out during the show's nine-week run.

The musical was produced by Bob Geldof and Band Aid's permission.

Toronto (2025)
The show is scheduled to have its North American premiere at the Ed Mirvish Theatre, in Toronto. The musical will begin performances on 28 January 2025 and close on 16 March 2025.

Musical numbers
The musical features songs by artists featured at the Live Aid concert, such as


 * Bob Dylan
 * David Bowie
 * The Who
 * U2
 * Queen
 * The Police
 * Elton John
 * Paul McCartney
 * The Pretenders
 * The Cars
 * Status Quo
 * Paul Weller (Weller performed with his group The Style Council at Live Aid)
 * Sade
 * The Boomtown Rats
 * Bryan Adams
 * Diana Ross
 * Ultravox

Critical reception
The original London production received mixed reviews. The show's performers, band, and song arrangements were almost universally praised, while the dialogue, character development, and what some reviewers felt was a 'white saviour' sentiment were criticized. The Guardian gave two stars out of five; it criticized the show's "pancake flat characters" and "white saviour stereotypes". The Daily Telegraph gave four stars out of five and described the show as; "this rip-roaring, nostalgia-stirring new juke-box musical". City A.M. gave two stars out of five. It praised the show's performers and production but criticised it as a; "Shockingly tone deaf Live Aid musical". The Times gave three stars out of five, praising the show's live band but criticising the "wooden script" and "gauche celebration". The London Evening Standard gave three stars out of five; it praised the show band and singing performances and, like the Guardian, criticised the show's; "corny dialogue" and "white saviourism". The Independent gave three stars and described the show as; "This Live Aid musical is Bob Geldof’s tribute to... himself". The New Statesman criticised the show's; "sanctimony and second-rate songs". The Financial Times gave three stars; it praised the show's arrangement, delivery of musical numbers, and the choreography. It also noted that; "as drama it struggles" with the script; "awkward and heavy".