A brand-new play about the extraordinary life of Dr Feelgood founder and legendary rock star Wilko Johnson, arrives at the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, next week (Tuesday 5th – Saturday 9th August), and has announced that it’s bringing a star-studded line up of special guests to the show each night.
Fresh from a sell-out West End run at the Leicester Square Theatre, Wilko: Love and Death and Rock ‘n’ Roll has been hailed as ‘an incredible night out’ (Theatre News) and ‘gloriously raw… superbly played” (Daily Mail). The uplifting show combines powerful drama and blistering live music to celebrate Wilko’s astonishing life. It follows his journey from a devastating terminal cancer diagnosis in 2012, and his subsequent refusal of treatment in order to live his remaining life to the fullest, only for a miracle to reverse his terminal diagnosis a year later.
Cheltenham audiences will be treated to a series of exclusive post-show appearances from some of the biggest names in music, including:
Tuesday 5th August (7:30pm): Legendary bass player Norman Watt-Roy (Ian Dury and the Blockheads, The Wilko Johnson Band) joins Wilko’s son Simon Johnson (Eight Rounds Rapid) for a post-show Q&A with Charlie Chan, the Cheltenham doctor who saved Wilko’s life.
Wednesday 6th August (7:30pm): Cheltenham Blues Legends Night featuring Keith Thompson, Mark Cole, and Stuart Earl, presented with Vonnies Blues Club.
Thursday 7th August (2pm): Britain’s hottest up-and coming guitarist James Oliver, will perform alongside drummer Mark Kemlo and Norman Watt-Roy, who has previously hailed Oliver as “the best guitarist I’ve ever played with since Wilko Johnson”.
Thursday 7th August (7:30pm): Rock icons Spike (The Quireboys) and Luke Morley (Thunder) join the stage.
Friday 8th August (7:30pm): Legendary actor and musician Keith Allen (Trainspotting, Keith Allen and the Mushroom Junctioneers), will be joined by Nick Reynolds of Alabama 3, writers and performers of the iconic theme tune to the legendary TV series The Sopranos. Nick is widely regarded as one of the world’s most exciting harmonica players,
Saturday 9th August (2pm): Matty James Cassidy and Michael ‘Gaff’ Gaffney( The Real Villains, The Glitterati) will perform at the matinee.
Saturday 9th August (7:30pm): Very special guests to be announced soon!
Writer Jonathan Maitland said, “Cheltenham is in for a really special week with a host of incredible special guests, To have so many iconic musicians join s on stage is the perfect way to continue to honour Wilko’s remarkable legacy.”
 | Tickets are selling fast for Wilko: Love and Death and Rock ‘n’ Roll at the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham (Tuesday 5 – Saturday 9 August). Book now at: https://www.everymantheatre.org.uk/shows/wilko-love-and-death-and-rock-n-roll/. |
