Get Up, Stand Up! Bob Marley musical to open in London

Calling all Bob Marley fans – which is quite frankly, everyone – a brand new musical based on the life of the iconic artist is opening in the West End next year.

Get Up, Stand Up! will begin previews at the newly refurbished Lyric Theatre on 6 February next year, on what would have been Bob Marley’s 76th birthday.

The musical will take inspiration from Bob Marley’s lyrics and songs to tell his life story and incorporate a bunch of his biggest hits, including No Woman No Cry, Exodus, Three Little Birds, Get Up Stand Up and many more.

Arinzé Kene will star as Bob Marley himself. Arinzé most recently appeared in the West End in Death Of A Salesman, alongside Wendell Pierce and Sharon D. Clarke, but you might also recognise him from Netflix’s musical Been So Long, which he starred in alongside Michaela Coel.

Alongside a couple of Olivier Award nominations, Arinzé also holds the accolade of being only the second British black playwright to have a production staged in the West End with his one man show, Misty, after it transferred to Trafalgar Studios in 2018. 

Script and lyrics have been written by two-time Olivier Award winner, Lee Hall, who wrote original music and lyrics for Billy Elliot and the hit Elton John biopic, Rocketman. Dominic Cooke will direct the new production. Dominic is no stranger to the Oliviers himself, with several nominations and wins under his belt, most recently for his production of Follies starring Imelda Staunton.

Bob Marley’s daughter, Cedella, said:

“Our father’s music means so much to so many people around the world, we’re beyond thrilled to be able to bring it to both fans and new audiences alike in a new way led by the stellar team of Lee Hall and Dominic Cooke, and starring the fantastic Arinzé.

“As a family we feel that our father would be proud to know that his legacy is a source of creative inspiration and continues to bring people together.”

Tickets will go on sale in April, so keep your eyes peeled for updates!