UB40 are celebrating 25 years in the music business this year. They’ve also just performed in front of millions at the Live8 concert. So what’s next for the band?
 | | UB40 at Live8 |
They’ve just announced that they’ll be collaborating with young writer Jess Walters and the Birmingham Repertory Theatre to create a new musical called 'Promises And Lies'. As well as twelve of their classic hits, the band are composing several new tracks especially for the show, however they won't be performing themselves. Doing more than stringing hits together UB40 said: "We were approached by a number of producers to create a UB40 musical for the West End, but we wanted to do more than simply string together our hits into a throw-away plot – it had to have a story that reflected our view of the world. "The REP have a great reputation for new work of real quality and they were really committed to work with us to bring our vision to the stage. We’re really looking forward to working with Jess Walters who’s a terrifically talented young writer". 'Promises And Lies' will be directed by The REP’s Artistic Director Jonathan Church, who’s been at the theatre since 2001. Jonathan is looking forward to working with the band: "We’re excited to be collaborating with the band and thrilled that they have decided to create a new musical in the city where their music was forged. "The band’s material provides such strong inspiration and they have been very clear that they want the musical to tackle real contemporary issues". Grass roots Jess Walters, the twenty eight year old playwright who'll be working on the musical with UB40 has previously written two plays for The REP - 'Terracotta' and 'Low Dat' (you can hear an interview with her on the BBC Woman’s Hour website – click on the link on the right hand side of the page>>>).
 | | Ali performing with UB40 at Live 8 |
'Promises And Lies' will be developed over the coming months through research and work with young people in Birmingham. The musical will look at the contrasts that exist in society between those in control and the ordinary people whose destinies lie in their hands. It will tell the story of individuals battling against the odds to survive on the edge of a deceptively glossy modern city. Urban fusion The musical forms part of Birmingham’s Urban Fusion, an explosion of creativity and events throughout 2005/6 that have been funded by the Arts Council and the Millennium Commission. The show will be performed at The REP Theatre in Birmingham from 20th March to 15th April 2006. | 
