Review: JUST FOR ONE DAY, Old Vic Theatre
Photo credit: Manuel Harlan
Every generation seems to think that during their time, the world is “worse than ever before” and in 2024 when information is more accessible than ever, one global catastrophe seems to be replacing another one in the blink of an eye. Just For One Day, The Old Vic’s inaugural production of 2024, offers exactly what is needed at the beginning of a new year: a reminder of the past laced with hope for the future.
Gen Z Jemma is sick and tired of watching the world crumble around her. She wants change. But how can one person change the world? Enter present-day Bob Geldof, the man who in the summer of 1985, achieved the impossible. Although reluctant at first to play the role of the narrator, Bob takes Jemma and us back to the Christmas season of 1984, when a young Bob Geldof, frontman of the Boomtown Rats, found himself in front of a TV screen, watching the BBC News report on the famine in Ethiopia. This seemingly unimportant moment served as a catalyst for a global political art movement called Band Aid, that would spark a conversation about poverty, hunger, and international cooperation. Outraged by the indifference of the western world, Geldof, along with other musicians and activists, organised the historic Live Aid concert on 13 July 1985, with simultaneous concerts in London, England, and Philadelphia, USA. This groundbreaking event brought together some of the biggest names in the music industry and reached an estimated 1.9 billion people worldwide. It raised approximately $127 million in donations, providing emergency food aid, medical assistance, and long-term development projects in Ethiopia.
Spearheaded by Craige Els as Bob Geldof, whose rebellious energy fuels the show, the entire ensemble pour their heart and soul into this electrifying production and even though there are moments that feel a little bit too rehearsed, a few more runs will undoubtedly smooth things over.
Matthew Brind’s contemporary arrangements and orchestrations of the original, legendary songs performed at Live Aid create an instant-classic, intergenerational musical that will be appreciated by Gen Xs, Millennials and Gen Zs alike. Another significant factor contributing to the success of the musical component of the show is the deliberate choice not to have the cast imitate the sound or performance style of the original artists. Instead, they have crafted a distinct and authentic rendition that reflects their own individual personas. In fact, the entire production manages to strike the perfect balance between nostalgia for the past and celebration of the present.
The tech elements of the show manage to not only create a concert-like experience, but complement the sentiment of the songs perfectly. While all components are outstanding, Andrzej Goulding’s videography exceeds expectations and perfectly captures the style of the era and the vibe of a massive music festival televised around the globe.
After performers take their final bows, musicians remain on stage and see us out with a pop-rock medley. We exit, elated from the music, but left with a bittersweet feeling. As the show reminds us, “people try to put us d-down” and confronting global crises can often feel like battling an unbeatable Hydra, who’s ready to spring out two fresh heads after we’ve cut one down. However, art possesses a unique ability to unite people, a power that has long been acknowledged by influential individuals, since clashes between artists and governments appear to be a recurring pattern throughout history. The events of the summer of '85 stand as undeniable evidence of this. Yet, in the present day, the world still grapples with variations of the same issues faced four decades ago. So, this raises the question: is history doomed to repeat itself, or can the world eventually come together again, this time not just for one day?
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Erifyli Gigante
Just For One Day plays at the Old Vic Theatre until 30 March, with tickets available here.