EXCLUSIVE: Rock iconBob Geldofis collaborating on a stage musical about the global phenomenon that was Live Aid.
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I was there too.
Its the biggest gig Ive ever covered.
Freddie Mercury, David Bowie, Elton John and Bob Geldof at Live Aid 1985Getty
Many of the songs performed that day will be included inJust For One Day.
I asked Sheppard whether actors will portray the rock stars who played Live Aid.
Shaking his head, he explained thatJust For One Daywould not be aStars in Their Eyesaffair.
Tina Turner and Mick JaggerPaul Natkin/WireImage
Geldof will be a character in the show but its not done in a kind ofStars in Their Eyesway.
Thats really influenced one of the characters in there as well.
I should get your info on that.
Yeah, well, I dont think the world needs a rock n roll Baz Bamigboye singing on stage.
I mean, the creatives want people to stay in their seats, not leave.
Look, Bob Geldof is a very particular person.
So when you watch the show, Bob, hes instantly recognizable, Sheppard said.
Actor Craige Els (Doctor Who, R.I.P.D.
2: Rise of the Damned, National Theatre Live: Antigone) takes on the Bob Geldof character.
And I think shes a really exciting young talent to watch.
And Im really excited for this to be her kind of leading role debut.
She always talks about it as this moment in her life where its like the world stopped still.
After five workshops, Sheppard sent a video to Old Vic artistic director Matthew Warchus.
Initially, Warchus told Sheppard he didnt have an available slot forJust One Day.
But 24 hours later, he called Sheppard and told him hed cleared space for it.
Sheppard said working with Geldof has been extraordinary.
At every detail, were interrogating and were looking at it from all different angles.
Were into all of that, Sheppard said.
He added that Geldof has been open and respectful about letting us do what we want to do.
So we came to him with an idea.
Im going to tell you what I think along the way.
Sheppard continued: What I really admire about him is hes so brave, fearless and unapologetic as well.
I think thats what I want the show to be.
I want it to be brave.
I want it to be fearless.
Geldof has also aided the production concerning music rights to some of the hits performed at Live Aid.
Its Bob and I putting on a show and its like going back in time in a way.
Sheppard wouldnt confirm which actual songs would be performed.
However, when I began humming QueensWe Are The Champions and Bohemian Rhapsody, he nodded his head.
The Band Aid Trust will be the productions main beneficiary.
And thats also a huge part of whats drawn me to it as well.
Warchus from the Old Vic told me hes excited to haveJust One Dayat his celebrated theater.
The music is going to blow the roof off this place every night, he said.
Further casting will be revealed later in the year.
Casting is by Stuart Burt.
Its one of the few shows Ive seen in recent months that Im desperate to see again.
