Constellations, Next to Normal and Caroline or Change director Michael Longhurst will helm a new version of Boy George’s musical Taboo.
Longhurst recently joined Boy George, Jack Holden (who joined earlier this year to write the book), associate director Alessandra Davison and producer Thomas Hopkins for a two-weeklong research and development session housed in the Young Vic to explore the next stage of the show’s evolution.
This session follows a successful reading of the first draft in May, attended by a select group of Broadway and West End producers and venue representatives, which marked another major milestone in the show’s ongoing development.
Taboo is not just a musical; it’s a vibrant portrait of a brief yet unforgettable era—the dazzling 1980s London. These were years of glorious self-indulgence, set against the backdrop of mass unemployment and societal upheaval. The youth of the time rebelled, expressing themselves through audacious fashions and a decadent nightlife scene. They were the ‘New Romantics,’ spearheading a cultural movement that left an indelible mark on pop, fashion, and global culture.
Originally premiering in 2002, this new version of Taboo, produced by Thomas Hopkins Productions with coproducers Cason Crane, Haffner Wright Theatricals & Solange Urdang, features a new book by writer and performer Jack Holden and Boy George, based on the original book by Mark Davies Markham. Casting will be by Rob Kelly.
Further details on next steps for the show to be announced in due course.
Top image: Taboo – Thomas Hopkins, Jack Holden, Boy George, Michael Longhust, Alessandra Davison – credit Danny Kaan (image supplied)