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Taboo the MusicalOpening Date: Jan 29, 2002
Closing Date: April 26, 2003 Air date: Nov 17, 2003 Medium: DVD Where to watch: DVD (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases) |
Stage Production Notes
Taboo the Musical is a love story set against the artistic backdrop of the New Romantic period in 1980s England, interweaving autobiographical elements from the lives of Leigh Bowery, and Boy George.
The show’s title was derived from a weekly event, Taboo, at the Maximum nightclub in London’s Leicester Square. The club event ran from 1985 to 1986. It was the creation of Australian-born Leigh Bowery, a subversive and controversial London identity who strove to be “weird and alternative.” He famously posed for painter Lucian Freud, and was known for his outrageous fashion choices.
Boy George is a musician and writer who rose to fame in the late 1970s and early 1980s with the band Culture Club. He characterized the flamboyance and androgyny of the New Romantic movement.
The musical was written after director Chris Renshaw pitched an idea about combining the stories of Leigh Bowery and Boy George into one show.
Taboo received a three-week workshop before opening at The Venue, a 300-seat music venue just off Leicester Square in January 2002.
The show received mixed reviews. Several critics noted the appalling book, particularly highlighting the show’s failure to provide an adequate commentary or analysis of the time period it was portraying. Despite the failure of the book, The Telegraph’s Charles Spencer stated Taboo was the best musical to open in 2002, and the Guardian’s theatre critic Michael Billington claimed it was a musical “impossible to dislike.”
Boy George received mostly positive reviews for his original pop-infused score.
The production was nominated for four Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical, Best Actor in a Musical (Euan Morton), Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical (Paul Baker), and Best Costume Design. Paul Baker won for Best Performance in a Supporting Role.
Regardless of what the critics thought, audiences loved the show and ticket sales were strong. Originally scheduled for a four month run, Taboo ran for just over a year before closing on April 26, 2003.
Produced by Rosie O’Donnell, and with a new book by Charles Busch, Taboo the Musical opened on Broadway at the Plymouth Theatre (now the Gerald Schoenfeld) on November 13, 2003. A messy pre-production period, and in-fighting and tensions within the cast and creative team were widely publicized. Following poor ticket sales, Taboo closed on Broadway on February 8, 2004 after 100 performances, and at a loss of $10 million.
A new version of the show was launched at the Lowry in Manchester in December 2003, and toured throughout the United Kingdom until July 2004.
In 2005, the Broadway production was one of four musicals featured in behind-the-scenes documentary Show Business.
Cast members from the original Broadway production reunited for a special one night only concert at 54 Below to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Taboo’s Broadway opening.
In September 2012, Taboo was re-mounted at the General in London. The well-received production ran until March 31, 2013.
In 2013, members of the original London cast joined Boy George for a concert celebrating Culture Club’s 20th anniversary at Royal Albert Hall. The concert was recorded and released on CD and DVD.
A special 20th anniversary concert of Taboo was held at the London Palladium on January 30 - 31, 2022. Directed by Christopher Henshaw, the concerts benefited The Terrence Higgins Trust and Shelter.
Taboo the Musical is a love story set against the artistic backdrop of the New Romantic period in 1980s England, interweaving autobiographical elements from the lives of Leigh Bowery, and Boy George.
The show’s title was derived from a weekly event, Taboo, at the Maximum nightclub in London’s Leicester Square. The club event ran from 1985 to 1986. It was the creation of Australian-born Leigh Bowery, a subversive and controversial London identity who strove to be “weird and alternative.” He famously posed for painter Lucian Freud, and was known for his outrageous fashion choices.
Boy George is a musician and writer who rose to fame in the late 1970s and early 1980s with the band Culture Club. He characterized the flamboyance and androgyny of the New Romantic movement.
The musical was written after director Chris Renshaw pitched an idea about combining the stories of Leigh Bowery and Boy George into one show.
Taboo received a three-week workshop before opening at The Venue, a 300-seat music venue just off Leicester Square in January 2002.
The show received mixed reviews. Several critics noted the appalling book, particularly highlighting the show’s failure to provide an adequate commentary or analysis of the time period it was portraying. Despite the failure of the book, The Telegraph’s Charles Spencer stated Taboo was the best musical to open in 2002, and the Guardian’s theatre critic Michael Billington claimed it was a musical “impossible to dislike.”
Boy George received mostly positive reviews for his original pop-infused score.
The production was nominated for four Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical, Best Actor in a Musical (Euan Morton), Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical (Paul Baker), and Best Costume Design. Paul Baker won for Best Performance in a Supporting Role.
Regardless of what the critics thought, audiences loved the show and ticket sales were strong. Originally scheduled for a four month run, Taboo ran for just over a year before closing on April 26, 2003.
Produced by Rosie O’Donnell, and with a new book by Charles Busch, Taboo the Musical opened on Broadway at the Plymouth Theatre (now the Gerald Schoenfeld) on November 13, 2003. A messy pre-production period, and in-fighting and tensions within the cast and creative team were widely publicized. Following poor ticket sales, Taboo closed on Broadway on February 8, 2004 after 100 performances, and at a loss of $10 million.
A new version of the show was launched at the Lowry in Manchester in December 2003, and toured throughout the United Kingdom until July 2004.
In 2005, the Broadway production was one of four musicals featured in behind-the-scenes documentary Show Business.
Cast members from the original Broadway production reunited for a special one night only concert at 54 Below to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Taboo’s Broadway opening.
In September 2012, Taboo was re-mounted at the General in London. The well-received production ran until March 31, 2013.
In 2013, members of the original London cast joined Boy George for a concert celebrating Culture Club’s 20th anniversary at Royal Albert Hall. The concert was recorded and released on CD and DVD.
A special 20th anniversary concert of Taboo was held at the London Palladium on January 30 - 31, 2022. Directed by Christopher Henshaw, the concerts benefited The Terrence Higgins Trust and Shelter.
Filmed Production Notes
The original London production was filmed in 2003.
The DVD was released in November 2003 in a single disc edition, and a special triple disc edition. The single disc edition includes a full-length commentary by Boy George, and behind-the-scenes footage. The triple disc edition contains “hours of extras not available on the single disc issue.”
Everything Taboo, a documentary about the making of the musical, was released in a limited edition DVD by Ace’s Wild Productions in 2003.
Taboo the Musical is available on DVD (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases).
The original London production was filmed in 2003.
The DVD was released in November 2003 in a single disc edition, and a special triple disc edition. The single disc edition includes a full-length commentary by Boy George, and behind-the-scenes footage. The triple disc edition contains “hours of extras not available on the single disc issue.”
Everything Taboo, a documentary about the making of the musical, was released in a limited edition DVD by Ace’s Wild Productions in 2003.
Taboo the Musical is available on DVD (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases).
Taboo the Musical PRODUCTION CREDITS
Theatre: Leicester Square Theatre
Producer: Adam Kenwright, Michael Fuchs
Book: Mark Davies
Music and Lyrics: Boy George
Director: Christopher Renshaw, film: Mike Nicholls
Musical Director: James Mckeon
Musical Arrangements: Kevan Frost
Vocal Arrangements: Martin Lowe
Choreography: Les Child
Scenic Design: Tim Goodchild
Costume Design: Mike Nicholls
Lighting Design: Chris Ellis
Sound Design: Jem Kitchen
Hair and Make-Up Design: Christine Bateman
Stage Manager: Mark Pawsey
Cast:
Boy George (Leigh Bowery), Euan Morton (George), Paul Baker (Philip Salon), Drew Jaymson (Steve Strange), Lyn Paul (Josie),
Luke Evans (Billy), Lucy Newton (Kim), John Partridge (Marilyn), Gail Mackinnon (Big Sue), Nicola Dawn (Janey), Robbie Shelley (Guru Dazzle/policeman), Zee Asha (Kay Cole), Lucy Harris (Foxy), Alana Phillips(Virus), Declan Bennett, Daniel Cooper, Nathan Taylor
Theatre: Leicester Square Theatre
Producer: Adam Kenwright, Michael Fuchs
Book: Mark Davies
Music and Lyrics: Boy George
Director: Christopher Renshaw, film: Mike Nicholls
Musical Director: James Mckeon
Musical Arrangements: Kevan Frost
Vocal Arrangements: Martin Lowe
Choreography: Les Child
Scenic Design: Tim Goodchild
Costume Design: Mike Nicholls
Lighting Design: Chris Ellis
Sound Design: Jem Kitchen
Hair and Make-Up Design: Christine Bateman
Stage Manager: Mark Pawsey
Cast:
Boy George (Leigh Bowery), Euan Morton (George), Paul Baker (Philip Salon), Drew Jaymson (Steve Strange), Lyn Paul (Josie),
Luke Evans (Billy), Lucy Newton (Kim), John Partridge (Marilyn), Gail Mackinnon (Big Sue), Nicola Dawn (Janey), Robbie Shelley (Guru Dazzle/policeman), Zee Asha (Kay Cole), Lucy Harris (Foxy), Alana Phillips(Virus), Declan Bennett, Daniel Cooper, Nathan Taylor
Sources
Books
Articles
Websites
Other
- Dan Dietz, The Complete Book of 2000s Broadway Musicals, Rowman & Littlefield (2017)
- Lucas Prono, Encyclopedia of Gay and Lesbian Popular Culture, ABC-Clio (2008)
Articles
- Claudia A, “Review: 20th Anniversary: Live at Royal Albert Hall - Culture Club,” Vintage Vinyl News (July 2013)
- David Benedict, “Where’s the naughty Boy?” The Guardian (Feb 2, 2002)
- Michael Billington, “Taboo,” The Guardian (Jan 29, 2002)
- Lyn Gardner, “Taboo,” The Guardian (May 22, 2002)
- Fiachra Gibbons, “The Alien Emperor of 80's London,” New York Times (Nov 2, 2003)
- Adam Hetrick, “Original Broadway Cast of Boy George Musical Taboo Reunite for 10th Anniversary Concerts at 54 Below Feb. 8,” Playbill (Feb 8, 2014)
- Judd Hollander, “Taboo to close with $10m loss,” The Stage (Jan 20, 2004)
- Charles Isherwood, “Review: ‘Taboo’,” Variety (Nov 13, 2003)
- Jesse McKinley, “Rosie the Producer, Navigating Broadway,” New York Times (Sept 29, 2003)
- Lola Ogunnaike, “A Glimpse Behind One Man's Makeup; 'Taboo' Is Act II For Boy George,” New York Times (Nov 13, 2003)
- Michael Riedel, “At war with Boy George,” The Guardian (Feb 4, 2004)
- Michael Riedel, “‘Taboo’ Postmortem; What & Who Went Wrong,” New York Post (Jan 16, 2004)
- Nigel Reynolds, “Boy George puts his life to music in the West End,” The Telegraph (Aug 10, 2001)
- Mark Ronson, “Taboo,” Interview Magazine (Jan 20, 2009)
- Rupert Smith, “We were so naughty,” The Guardian (Jan 9, 2002)
- Charles Spencer, “Mad about the Boy,” The Telegraph (Jan 31, 2002)
- Charles Spencer, “Boy George’s trash glitters brightest” The Telegraph (July 3, 2002)
- Fiona Sturges, “Taboo, The Venue,” The Independent (Jan 30, 2002)
- David Ward, “Taboo takes Lowry in a new direction,” The Guardian (Aug 18, 2003)
- Alex Wood, "Boy George's Taboo to return for 20 year anniversary concert at The London Palladium," Whats On Stage (Sept 17, 2021)
- Alex Wood, "Second date for Taboo charity concert at The London Palladium announced," Whats On Stage (Jan 21, 2022)
- “The Film About the Show Behind the Show,” New York Times (April 24, 2005)
Websites
- Boy George Fever, “Gimmie a CD/DVD: Taboo DVD’s,” Accessed via: http://www.boygeorgefever.com/gimmie-a-cddvd-.html
- Discogs, “Taboo Original London Cast - The Boy George Musical Taboo,” Accessed via: https://www.discogs.com/Taboo-Original-London-Cast-The-Boy-George-Musical-Taboo/release/5769922
- Dress Circle, “Taboo the Musical Triple Disc Special Edition DVD (Region2)” Accessed via: http://www.dresscircle.com/new-dvdbluray/10230-tabbo-the-musical-triple-disc-special-edition-dvd-region2-5013037022510.html
- UK Theatre Web, “Archive listings for Taboo,” Accessed via: http://www.uktw.co.uk/archive/musical/taboo/S0656084028/
Other
- Correspondence with Nicola Dawn (July 2021)
Written by Luisa Lyons (May, 2017; updated July 2021; Sept 2021)