UB40 announce plans for musical
UB40 today became the latest pop group to announce plans to stage a musical.
Just days after appearing at the Live 8 concert in Hyde Park, the Birmingham outfit confirmed members were collaborating with a young writer on a show set to premiere in their home city next year.
Promises And Lies will feature around 12 UB40 songs, including hits such as One In Ten and Kingston Town, as well as new tracks composed especially for the production.
Band members are not expected to perform in the musical, which is set in the Midlands and follows the lives of people from different walks of life.
In a statement, the band – which is celebrating 25 years in the music business - said they had been approached by a number of producers about creating a UB40 musical for the West End.
“But we wanted to do more than simply string together our hits into a throw-away plot,” they said.
“It had to have a story that reflected our view of the world.”
The musical, penned by playwright Jess Walters, is due to run at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre from March 20 to April 15 next year, with tickets going on sale today.
