New Monkees Musical Believer Opens in Plymouth

A new musical based on the songs of 1960s pop group The Monkees will receive its world premiere later this summer at the Theatre Royal Plymouth, where it runs from 26 August to 6 September 2008 prior to a national tour. Entitled Daydream Believer, it includes hits such as “I’m a Believer”, “Steppin’ Stone”, “Hey, Hey We’re The Monkees”, “Last Train to Clarksville”, and the title song.

According to promotional material, Daydream Believer tells the story of four boys who audition for a band, and “unwittingly become stand-ins for the most famous group in the world”. It promises “a nostalgic trip down memory lane for those who remember the TV series”, while producers hope the “enduring charm” of The Monkees’ back catalogue will appeal to a “whole new generation”.

The original Monkees – Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork and Micky Dolenz – were formed in 1966 as a fictional pop group for a zany TV show. But the success of their first album soon saw them start touring as a real band, going on to become one of the most successful pop acts of the 1960s, with songwriters including Neil Diamond, Carole King and Harry Nilsson among their many collaborators.

The musical is written by Peter Benedict and directed by British-based American David Taylor, whose previous credits include international tours of Cats, South Pacific and Speed the Plow. It’s produced by Nick Brooke in partnership with the Churchill Theatre, Bromley and the Theatre Royal Plymouth. Casting is yet to be announced.

Following Plymouth, Daydream Believer tours to Belfast, Windsor, Stoke-On-Trent, Woking, Glasgow, Richmond, Cambridge, Brighton, Bromley, Darlington and Eastbourne, with further venues to be confirmed.

– by Theo Bosanquet