Taboo, The Boy George Musical

A musical portrait of a brief but remarkable era, 1980s London.
Why see Taboo, The Boy George Musical?
These gloriously self-indulgent years, played out against a backdrop of mass unemployment and social upheaval, sparked a rebellion among young people which ultimately found its expression in outrageous fashions and a decadent nightlife.
These were the “New Romantics” - leaders of a phenomenon which left a lasting influence on both the face and fate of pop, fashion and social culture.
Taboo is a story about a young girl and boy swept up in this exciting artistic climate, a story which also focuses on two young men – Leigh Bowery, a brilliant, anarchic performance artist and designer, and George O’Dowd, a young, rough-edged boy who arrives in London and, once part of the Eighties club world, becomes the surprising crossover star of the scene, Boy George.
From squat to superstardom, from rock to rock bottom, both mens’ stories are played out against the fantastic background of Taboo, the nightclub that came to symbolise the excess and decadence of 1980s London and subsequently defined a generation.
Cast
Paul Baker as Philip Sallon
Sam Buttery as Leigh Bowery
Niamh Perry as Kim
Matthew Rowland as Boy George
Sarah Ingram as Josie
Michael Matus as Derek / Petal
Adam Bailey as Marilyn
Alistair Brammer as Billy
Daniella Bowen as Janey
Katie Kerr as Big Sue
Owain Williams as Steve Strange
Creative
Book - Mark Davies Markham
Director - Christopher Renshaw
Musical Arrangements - Kevan Frost
Music Co-Writers - Kevan Frost, Richie Stevens & John Themis
Original Concept - Boy George & Christopher Renshaw
Choreographer - Frank Thompson
Production Musical Consultant - Mike Dixon
Set Designer - Tim Goodchild
Costume Designer - Mike Nicholls
Hair & Make-Up Designer - Christine Bateman
Wigs - Atelier Sjoerd Didden
Lighting Designer - Howard Hudson
Sound Design Consultant - Graham Simpson For Thames Audio Ltd
Musical Director - Matt Smith
Casting Director - Anne Vosser
Additional Music Direction - Michael England
Resident Director - Jason Capewell
Fight Director - Jude Poyer