Tim Mahendran and the cast of Just For One Day. Photo credit Evan Zimmerman.Writer John O’Farrell starts the story in the way it played-out for many of us at the time, sitting in the comfort of our homes, watching TV and witnessing Michael Buerk’s harrowing report from war-torn Ethiopia where literally millions of human beings were dying of starvation. One viewer that day, was Boomtown Rats front man Bob Geldof. With a few musician friends and the help of impresario Harvey Goldsmith, he set about producing a Christmas single “Feed the World” to raise much needed funds. It went straight to No1 and was followed by a similar effort in the US. People power was in the ascendant.
With ordinary people onboard, the main barriers to feeding the world were logistical and political. More needed to be done and having spearheaded the initial effort, Geldof (Craige Els) finds himself badgering and cajoling Goldstein (Tim Mahendran), Midge Ure (George Ure - no relation) and even Margaret Thatcher (Julie Atherton) to help fund, organise and participate in a huge Wembley concert together with another in Philadelphia which became Live Aid with its iconic Africa guitar symbol.
On Soutra Gilmour’s simple set (which is reminiscent of Grease’s bleachers), the performers sit beneath the live band playing above them, leaping forward to perform excerpts from anthems of the period as they loosely assume the identities of Bowie, George Michael, Sting, Freddie Mercury and many others. Meanwhile those of us who felt insignificant and inconsequential back then, are represented in the story by ordinary music lovers who at the time did everything to contribute by raising funds and awareness through record and ticket sales.
Record shop assistant Suzanne (played in her youth by Hope Kenna and by Melissa Jacques as an older and wiser mum to Jemma, Fayth Ifil) carries much of the heavy lifting. But there is also a humorous minor backstage story courtesy of Marsha (Kelly Agbowu) and Jim (Ashley Samuels). Balancing the comedic energy is a more sombre and reflective quality in the scenes involving Red Cross aid worker Amara (Rihanne-Louise McCaulsky) who evokes the reality of the humanitarian disaster and the 4000miles which distances it from the vitality and spectacle unfolding on 13th July 1985.
Every one of the 30 talented and energetic cast members and 6-piece band, deliver in spades without ever resorting to mere parodies of the legends they represent. The end result in director Luke Sheppard’s transfer from the Old Vic, is a vibrant and dynamic show which entertains and excites whilst providing the occasional nostalgic punch to the solar plexus.
