Disco Inferno is a 2004 jukebox musical written by Jai Sepple. Set in the East End of London in 1976, the show features songs from the 1970s and is loosely based on the story of Faust.
Original productions
The musical debuted at the Queens Theatre, Hornchurch in 1999 with revised revivals at the Towngate Theatre, Basildon in 2004 the Kenneth More Theatre, Ilford in 2006.
Character list
The characters in Disco Inferno were named after well-known characters from songs of the era, such as "Jumpin' Jack Flash", "Wuthering Heights" and "Lady Marmalade".
- Jack - A young and impressionable wannabe 'superstar'
- Jane - A frequent at the ‘Disco Inferno’ and Jack’s long suffering girlfriend
- Tom - Jack's awkward, nerdish best friend and boyfriend of Maggie
- Maggie - Jane’s clumsy, funny and kind best friend, and girlfriend of Tom
- Heathcliffe - An egotistical, malevolent singer in the 'Disco Inferno' and Kathy’s tiresome and unpleasant boyfriend
- Kathy - A flirtatious frequent at the ‘Disco Inferno’ and Heathecliffes forbearing girlfriend
- Terry - DJ at the ‘Disco Inferno’ and friend to Jack and Tom
- Duke - An aging rocker and owner of the nightclub
- Lady Marmalade - A record label scout
- Nick Diablo - Eccentric English fashion guru
- Lily - A flamboyant barman
The character of Nick Diablo was omitted from both the 2006 and 2012 productions and Lily were omitted from the 2012 UK tour. Some of the characters names' were changed in the 2012 UK tour: Lady Marmalade was renamed Lucretia MacEvil, Kathy was renamed Roxanne and Terry was renamed Billy.
Original casts
Plot synopsis
The show takes place in 1976, following an aspiring musical ‘Jack’ who works at a nightclub in London, called the ‘Disco Inferno’ Working late one night, Jack meets Lady Marmalade an incarnation of the Devil disguised as a record labels agent. Dreaming of becoming successful, he makes a pact with her, trading his soul to fulfill his dream.
Jack soon becomes an international success, making appearances on radio and television shows, but success proves hollow. He has the fame and fortune he's always dreamed of but is losing something far more important – his girlfriend, Jane and his best friend, Tom. One disaster quickly follows another (Like he runs a little someone over with his car, but if you want to find out you have to watch the show heehee) If only he could turn back time... If only he could make one more deal, trading all he now has for something far more important... love
Performances
Disco Inferno has been performed around the world since it initial debut, countries have included the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Jamaica, Sweden, New Zealand, Australia, Pakistan and Norway.
Music
Generally due to copyright restrictions in different countries songs have varied from production to production. The 2012 UK Tour version of the script was considerably revised.
2004 London premiere
2006 London revival
2012 UK Tour
Publishing and representation
Disco Inferno is published by various Musical Theatre publishers worldwide.
- UK - Musical Theatre International, MTI Europe
- US - Musical Theatre International, MTI
- Europe - Gallissas Verlag
- Australia / New Zealand - David Spicer Productions
Cancelled UK tour
A new version of Disco Inferno began a tour of the UK in the autumn of 2012. The cast included Sam Attwater as 'Jack', Dani Harmer as 'Jane' and Javine Hylton as 'Lucretia MacEvil'. The tour closed after the first week, with the producer citing 'financial problems'.
External links
- The Official Disco Inferno Website
- Jai Sepple - Author's official homepage
- Disco Inferno on the Guide to Musical Theatre
References
