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A former Nailsea School student has landed a starring role in the new Live Aid musical Just For One Day which opens at the Old Vic in London in the New Year.

Hope Kenna, aged 24, pictured, lives in Locking and after GCSEs and A-levels at Nailsea went on to train in acting at Guildhall School of Music.

As well as acting Hope who graduated in 2020-21 is a talented dancer and singer.

She will be playing the role of young Suzanne, alongside Jackie Clune (Motherland) who will portray the mature version of the same character.

Hope has been collaborating in the creation of the show for two years.

She said: “Having Bob Geldof in the room with us, has made this an exceptional experience.

“His input sets the event in context and of course the music is phenomenal.”

The show was devised and directed by Luke Sheppard.

The actual Live Aid concert masterminded by Geldof and fellow rock ‘n’ roller Midge Ure was staged in July 1985 long before Hope was born.

It was devised to raise funds and awareness for the famine crisis then taking place in Ethiopia.

Nailsea staged its own fundraising version later that year with 30 local bands on stage in Somerset Square.

The UK leg of Live Aid at Wembley Stadium starred Queen with frontman Freddie Mercury, David Bowie, Elton John, George Michael, Sting, Sade, The Who, Paul McCartney, U2, Geldof’s the Boomtown Rats, Ure, Paul Weller and tons of others rocked and raved in the presence of thousands of spectators — including Charles and Diana, then known as the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Across the pond at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, Mick Jagger sang with Tina Turner; Madonna, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Hall & Oates and others also performed.

Led Zeppelin re-formed for the occasion; Phil Collins played at Wembley then boarded the Concorde so he could play drums with Zeppelin, replacing the group’s late drummer John Bonham.

Many of the songs performed that day will be included in Just For One Day.

Just For One Day new musical

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Just For One Day will run at the Old Vic from Friday to Saturday, January 26-March 30.

In a media interview we learned Geldof will be a character in the show ‘but it’s not done in a kind of Stars in Their Eyes way. It’s not people dressing up as the artists and doing it as a tribute — we’ve moved very far away from that.’

Actor Craige Els (Doctor Who, R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned, National Theatre Live: Antigone) takes on the Bob Geldof character.

Another key role will be performed by Naomi Katiyo, who has appeared in UK productions of musicals Treason, Ain’t Too Proud and What’s New Pussycat.

Geldof has also aided the production concerning music rights to some of the hits performed at Live Aid.

Online tickets will be on sale soon here https://www.oldvictheatre.com/stage/event/just-for-one-day

Hope has another big role next year when in the summer she will be one of five bridesmaids at the wedding of former Nailsea School pupil and best friend Gemma Hill.

Gemma who is marrying another school classmate. Ben Thompson.

Former Nailsea School student to star in world premier of Live Aid musical at London Old Vic

Talented singer/actor Hope Kenna who we featured below back in 2023 is treading the boards at the Old Vic in London to some rave reviews.

Hope is starring in the new Live Aid musical Just For One Day which opened in February 2024 at the Old Vic in London.

Hope, aged 24, who lives in Locking sat her GCSEs and A-levels at Nailsea School before going on to train in acting at Guildhall School of Music.

Hope shares the role of Weston-super-Mare record shop assistant called Suzanne.

One critic said: "Hope Kenna is particularly convincing as her enthusiastic younger self as we learn how she persuaded others to buy the single to help ‘feed the world’."

But the big news for Hope is Just For One Day is transferring to the West End for a further run in September, venue to be announced.

The Old Vic show runs until the end of March with limited tickets still on sale here https://www.oldvictheatre.com/stage/event/just-for-one-day.

The company will also be appearing on Comic Relief on Friday, March 15, and there are plans to record an album.

Read this 'cracking' review in full which says 'Hope Kenna gets one of the most memorable performances of the show as her younger version, with her zest for life completely infectious'.by following this link:
https://www.allthatdazzles.co.uk/post/review-just-for-one-day-old-vic

Rave reviews for Hope

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Following its successful run at the Old Vic, Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical is set to transfer to the West End – and complete casting has been revealed, says Alex Wood for WhatsOnStage.
The production, which became the fastest-selling musical in the Old Vic’s history, tells the story of the iconic 1985 concerts that united audiences worldwide in support of famine relief. It features music by artists such as Queen, U2, David Bowie, and Madonna, and is written by John O’Farrell and directed by Luke Sheppard.
The production received a solid review from WhatsOnStage during its original spell at the Old Vic, being described as 'rocking in all the right ways'.
Performances will begin on Thursday, May 15, at the Shaftesbury Theatre, with a special gala performance planned for  Sunday, July 13, marking 40 years since the original Live Aid concerts in London and Philadelphia.
It is currently booking until 10 January 2026. Online tickets from £31 here https://whatsonstage.londontheatredirect.com/musical/just-for-one-day-tickets aged 14+
Craige Els will reprise his role as Bob Geldof. Joining him will be Kelly Agbowu, Julie Atherton, Jason Battersby, Jordan Cambridge-Taylor, Eloise Davies, James Hameed, Fayth Ifil, Melissa Jacques, Hope Kenna, AJ Lewis, Freddie Love, Tim Mahendran, Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky, Jack Michael Stacey, Emily Ooi, Ashley Samuels, Sadie-Jean Shirley, Jake Small, Tamara Tare and George Ure, with Kerry Enright, Evan Fox Harrison, Esme Laudat, Eddie Mann, Jaye Marshall, Lukin Simmonds and Dyd Wynford.
Ten percent of all ticket sales will be donated to the Band Aid Charitable Trust.
It sees Sheppard return to the Shaftesbury Theatre following his award-winning production of & Juliet - see Nailsea People review.  

The creative team includes musical supervision, arrangements, and orchestration by Matthew Brind, choreography by Ebony Molina, set

West End here we come

design by Soutra Gilmour, costume design by Fay Fullerton, lighting design by Howard Hudson, sound design by Gareth Owen, video and animation by Andrzej Goulding, and casting by Stuart Burt.
Just For One Day is produced by Jamie Wilson Productions, Kevin McCollum, Sonia Friedman Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions, Kenny Wax Ltd, the Ambassador Theatre Group, Mirvish Productions, Nederlander Theatres, No Guarantees, Burnt Umber Productions, Stephen C Byrd, Willette and Manny Klausner, and the Old Vic by permission of the Band Aid Charitable Trust.
Before its run in the West End, the show will sail to Toronto for a limited season from Sunday to Sunday, January 26-March 16.

And if you think this winter has been a little cold think of Hope and the cast in Canada where temperatures have dropped to -15 degrees!

Hope shared photos below on her Instagram feed.

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JUST FOR ONE DAY:  The Live Aid musical is back in the West End and it's the encore you've been waiting for! Following a critically acclaimed, sold-out run at The Old Vic and a North American premiere of Just For One Day, this new musical about the making of the monumental Live Aid concert in 1985 played from January 26 to March 16, 2025, at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre – in Live Aid’s 40th anniversary year. Now former Nailsea School student Hope Kenna is back for another day! Playing at the Shaftesbury Theatre from Thursday, May 15, appearing in the show about the day that music brought the world together. Book your online tickets from £35 here https://www.shaftesburytheatre.com/events/just-for-one-day-live-aid-musical/

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Catching up with what Hope did next

Nailsea's three VIP celebs have enjoyed a busy few weeks in the limelight.

Here is a round-up from our June front page of what our ‘stars’ all former pupils at Nailsea School have been doing since we last reported on their activities.

Although she never appeared in a Nailsea School production Hope Kenna wrote, directed and took leading roles while at Guildhall School of Music & Drama for a degree course.

The Guildhall only takes 25 acting students a year and its alumni includes Orlando Bloom, Damien Lewis and Jude Law!

Hope said: “I was never really interested in school it was something that I just had to get through before I went to acting or dance classes in the evening!

“I remember getting into trouble in science a couple of times because unconsciously I was practicing tap steps under the table, when I was told off, I inadvertently started doing it on the desk with my fingers!

“I had the most supportive tutor Mrs Plaw in sixth form, who really took an interest in my auditioning process and assisted me through a few timetable clashes.

“I also met my best friend at Nailsea School, Gemma Hill, now Thompson!

Hope is currently ‘starring’ as young Suzanne in the Just For One Day musical which retells the events leading up to Live Aid, the 1985 benefit concert organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise awareness and funds for victims of the famine in Ethiopia.

Shaftsbury Theatre, West End

While the primary events leading to the concert are factual events, the musical's narrative incorporates fictionalized sub-plots.

The musical premiered at The Old Vic in January 2024 and made its north American premiere at the Ed Mirvish Theatre, Tornoto, Canada, in January 2025.

Hope wearing layers of warm clothing posted lots of photos of snow-covered Ontario streets while on the tour.

The show has transferred to the West End and opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre this month.

Just For One Day - The Live Aid Musical is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Live Aid in July.

The cast of Just For One Day including Hope appeared on Britain’s Got Talent ahead of its West End transfer.

Based on the creation of the monumental Live Aid concerts, the jukebox musical features the songs of Bob Dylan, David Bowie, The Who, U2, Queen, The Police, Elton John, Paul McCartney, The Pretenders, The Cars, Status Quo, Paul Weller, Sade, The Boomtown Rats, Bryan Adams, Diana Ross, Ultravox and more.

Craige Els plays the lead role of Bob Geldof from the Old Vic world premiere and with Hope is one of only three original cast members.

The production ‘rocks in all the right ways’ says WhatsOnStage.

Nailsea People is popping to London to see the show this month – watch out for our review…

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Just For One Day

This jukebox musical has one of the most talented casts ever to perform in the West End and our former Nailsea School student Hope Kenna is part of this terrific company.

Hope who plays a student working part-time in a record shop in Weston-super-Mare (her home town) sings, dances, acts, romances and in a comedic moment mimics an American accent in Just For One Day.

She is on stage the whole time.

Just For One Day - The Live Aid Musical is a new musical that tells the story of the iconic 1985 Live Aid concerts.

If only Hope had been wearing a T-shirt saying ‘educated in Nailsea’ the town where she also took dance lessons we would really be on the map.

Recently transferred to the West End following a short run in snow-bound Toronto, Canada, and several weeks at the Old Vic it is now playing at the lovely Shaftsbury Theatre and hopefully it will go on tour and come to Bristol Hippodrome.

I went with husband Rob at the beginning of June and we weren’t sure what to expect and if being totally honest I was slightly cynical about the one-off, one white man miracle to feed the starving of Africa.

However, this show sweeps nothing under the carpet and confronts all the issues both political, cultural and charitable and I left thinking if only Gaza had a Bob Geldolf and not Donald Trump trying to feed the misplaced and hungry.

Ethiopia’s ‘hell on earth’ famine of biblical proportions has Bob saying, ‘pop stars can’t eliminate poverty’ and denying he ever said ‘give us ya f-ing money’ in exactly those words.

If you’ve ever been on the fence about the man himself, this show will change your mind – expletives and all.

We follow Bob’s journey from his rise to fame with The Boomtown Rats, and the formation of charity supergroup Band Aid to the historic Live Aid concert of 1985 prompted by then wife Paula sticking a brown envelope on their fridge asking for £5 donations and memories of his dad telling him about the Irish potato famine.

The show moves timelessly thanks to the dynamic staging, seamless character shifts and, most of all, music. It is all about the music.

All the hits from the time plus a Mrs T and Mr G rap.

We wonder if the younger element in the audience got the throw-away line in a mock reprimand by the Iron Lady all suited and coiffured shouting a ‘no milk for you tonight’?

Rob said: “An enjoyable and thought-provoking evening.

“The acting, dancing, music, script and choreography were all top-notch.”

There are (as well as Hope as young Suzanne and her grown-up self played by Melissa Jacques) many notable standout performances from Craige Els as Saint Bob, Julie Atherton as PM Margaret Thatcher, Tim Mahendran as concert promoter Harvey Goldsmith and aid worker Amara, played by Abiona Omonua.

Rob added: “Craige Els as Bob Geldof gave us great renditions of I Don’t Like Mondays and Rat Trap.

“Julie Atherton a hilarious interpretation of the Ray Davies classic Stop Your Sobbing and Tim Mahendran as Harvey Goldsmith a rousing version of Pinball Wizard.

“The company joined forces to raise the roof with We Are The Champions and Heroes but for me the highlight was Blowing In The Wind sung by Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky, as Amara.

“The sound was awesome with bass, drums and guitars beautifully mixed and the voices, both solo and company, coming over crystal clear.

“Looking through the tracklist and the line-up of artists I had forgotten how male dominated the 1985 concert was.

“Hopefully the next Live Aid will have a better gender balance.”

The set has the band stacked behind the performers, colourful moving graphics on backdrop and the sound with mobile mics is the best we have heard at a live theatre gig.

In the audience we met a man from Christchurch, Dorset, celebrating his 60th birthday who along with 83,000 other music fans was at Wembley concert back in the day - June 13, 1985.

This was the year I started working for the Clevedon Mercury!

The blurb says, ‘Whether you were there at LIVE AID, watched it from home or weren’t even born yet, you'll love this exhilarating new musical’.

The ‘factual’ storyline includes a couple who conceived there first child in the loos at Wembley, and a Coldstream guard who kindly shared a taxi home with a stranded Bob.

The creative team includes book author John O'Farrell, director Luke Sheppard and music guru Matthew Brind.

We urge you go and see for yourself.

To book online tickets from £25 go to https://www.shaftesburytheatre.com/events/just-for-one-day-live-aid-musical/

HOPEFUL: We meet Hope for chat and photo at stage door

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