The Big Life is a British ska musical with book and lyrics by Paul Sirett and music by Paul Joseph, originally produced by the Theatre Royal Stratford East in 2004. It combines Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost with the story of the Windrush immigrants (those Jamaicans who arrived in Britain aboard HMT Empire Windrush in 1948, which began an era of multiculturalism).
The musical transferred to the West End's Apollo Theatre in 2005. It was nominated for Best New Musical at the 2006 Olivier Awards.
The musical is being revived for its 20th anniversary at Stratford East in early 2024 with previews on 16 February, an opening night on 22 February, and performances to 30 March.
Cast and characters +CharacterTheatre Royal Stratford East Theatre Royal Stratford East Apollo TheatreTheatre Royal Stratford East (2004)(2005)(2005)(2024)FerdyVictor Romero EvansAshley SamuelsBernieNeil ReidmanNathanael CampbellLennieChris TummingsKarl QueensboroughDennisMarcus PowellKhalid DaleyZuliekaMaureen HibbertAntonia Kemi CokerRachel JohnSybilYaaGabrielle BrooksMaryLorna BrownYvette Rochester Leanne HenlonKathyClaudia CadetteJuliet AgnesAdmiralJason PennycookeDanny BaileyJacquelineAmanda HorlockBeth ElliottReverendGeoff AymerGabriel FlearyMrs AphroditeTameka Empson
Awards and nominations Original West End production Year Award Category Nominee Result2006Laurence Olivier Awards Best New Musical Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a MusicalTameka Empson
References