Bob Marley musical Get Up, Stand Up! to premiere in West End in 2021

UPDATE: Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical will now open in October 2021. Read here for more information.

A new musical about the life of Bob Marley has confirmed a venue, dates and its star, with Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical set to play the West End in 2021.

Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musicalwill chronicle the life of the Jamaican singer-songwriter, and will be written by Lee Hall, known for writing Billy Elliot and Network, and will be directed by Dominic Cooke, an Olivier Award winner for his work on Follies and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

It will star Arinzé Kene in the titular role. Kene starred in the premiere of Bob Dylan musical Girl from the North Country when it opened at the Old Vic, and was nominated for two Olivier Awards for acting and writing his play Misty in 2018.

Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical will run at the Lyric Theatre, which will be refurbished, from 6^th February 2021. Tickets for the Bob Marley musical will go on sale on 21^st April.

The story has been confirmed to feature the songs "No Woman No Cry", "Exodus", "3 Little Birds", the titular number "Get Up Stand Up" and more.

On the announcement of the show, Marley's daughter Cedella said: "Our father's music means so much to so many people around the world, we're beyond thrilled to be able to bring it to both fans and new audiences alike in a new way led by the stellar team of Lee Hall and Dominic Cooke, and starring the fantastic Arinzé. 

"As a family, we feel that our father would be proud to know that his legacy is a source of creative inspiration and continues to bring people together."

Kene added: "I feel absolutely honoured to be able to take on this role. It is not only an honour to be able to spread Bob Marley's message further, but to get to be him for a little while is a lifelong dream come true. I grew up on his music and his mantra and he has been one of my role models since I was a child. I feel as if he's in my DNA."

"He's the man, I love him."

Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical will run at the Lyric Theatre from 6^th February 2021.

_{Photo credit: Fifty-Six Hope Road Music}