Broadway hit Motown The Musical has confirmed it will open in the West End next February at the Shaftesbury Theatre, bringing the legendary story of Berry Gordy and the musical legends he discovered to London.
The Tony Award nominated musical, which features an incredible 50 hit tracks, tells the fascinating story of how the featherweight boxer went from sportsman to music mogul, changing the face of music forever with just $800 borrowed from his family and a dream of setting up a record label.
His subsequent Motown record label was launched in 1959, through which Gordy went on to discover and launch the career of a staggering line-up of musicians including Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye, all of whom’s music features in the production alongside the true story of how the legendary period in music history played out.
Speaking about its West End premiere, Gordy commented: “I am thrilled to be bringing Motown back to the UK 50 years after our first visit back in 1965 when Diana Ross And The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, Martha Reeves And The Vandellas and I came to London for our very first UK tour.
“Half a century later we are delighted to be returning, this time bringing our story and the Motown sound on stage at the Shaftesbury Theatre in the legendary West End.”
The jukebox hit, which is directed by acclaimed US musical theatre regular Charles Randolph-Wright, features a sensational line-up of Motown classics including Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, I’ll Be There, Dancing In The Street, Stop! In The Name Of Love, My Girl, I Heard It Through The Grapevine and For Once In My Life.
Motown The Musical will play at the Shaftesbury Theatre from 11 February (press night 8 March) and is booking to 22 October. Casting is to be announced shortly.