Public Servant Lifestyle

Taboo

Taboo – the critically-acclaimed musical from the original Karma Chameleon Boy George – has been nominated for 4 Olivier Awards since it first appeared. These were for: 'Best New Musical', 'Best Actor in a musical' (for performer Euan Morton), 'Best Costume Design' and won the 'Best Supporting Actor in a Musical' (for the performance of Paul Baker).

The show - which saw it's last UK stage performance given at Liverpool's Empire Theatre - is an ingeniously crafted musical picture of the life, times and styles of the innovators who shaped the fate and the face of pop in the 1980s. This was a time when Georges' band Culture Club were huge, leading the way - and lead by the inimitable (although this show has a fair crack at it!): Boy George.

Set against a gloriously self-indulgent era, in which fashion, art, commercial forces and sexual politics clashed against a backdrop or riots, mass unemployment, social upheaval and national insecurity.

'Carnival of Freaks'

In The Guardian, Jacques Peretti concluded "it's fantastic", and Michael Billington described it as "impossible to dislike". It's "...a spine-tingler..." - The Sunday Times and "...a genuine breakthrough for the musical." - The Daily Telegraph.

"The casting is impeccable, the bitching is bewildering and positively no one is underdressed" - The Times. It's "...inspired..." - What's On, it "...promises to be a carnival of freaks and it doesn't disappoint." - The Times, and of course it had to be said - "By george, Boy George has done it!" - The Daily Telegraph.

Taking the lead role in the initial run of the show in 2002 was Euan Morton. London's Evening Standard said of his performance: "(He) gives a brilliant performance” as Boy George, and Matt Lucas - Shooting Stars' very own 'George Dawes' and now star of Little Britain was described as a “gleeful, compelling exhibitionist" (who) “...spectacularly summons the savage charisma and colours of performance artist/designer Leigh Bowery”. The play since went on to feature none other than former Joan Collins' Fan Club star Julian Clary as George.

20 Brand New Songs!

Boy George included 20 brand new songs, each especially written for the play - which appear alongside classic '80s hits including Do You Really Want To Hurt Me and Karma Chameleon.

The creative team behind the show is lead by multi award-winning West End and Broadway director Christopher Renshaw, with the book of the show penned by This Life author Mark Davies. Behind the scenes, design is by Tim Goodchild, choreography by Les Childs, lighting by Chris Ellis, hair & make-up by Christine Bateman, costumes by Mike Nicholls and sound by Jem Kitchen.

Taboo forms an ingeniously crafted musical picture of the life, times and styles of the innovators who shaped the fate and the face of pop in the '80s. This was a gloriously self-indulgent era in which fashion, art, commercial forces and sexual politics clashed against a backdrop of social upheaval. All of that self-indulgence is on display in Taboo.

Current Dates

There are currently no plans to tour further with this production - but keep watching the website (below) for details.

If you missed out, fear not! Taboo - The Musical is available as both a double and triple DVD. These releases include a full live commentary track from Boy George himself, as well as a selection of backstage footage. The 3-disc edition also includes further extras, among them a series of Karma Chameleon advert out-takes and two featurettes: 'Boy George around London' and 'Boy George Live at Ronnie Scotts'.

For further, updated information about the current cast - and where the show is playing - please follow this link.

More information available in On Stage