Back to the Future the Musical announces lead tour cast

Lead casting has been revealed for the first-ever UK tour of Back to the Future The Musical, opening later this year.

The production is based on the 1985 Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment film Back to the Future, which starred Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd as Dr Emmett Brown. Written by Bob Gale, the stage adaptation features new music and lyrics by Emmy and Grammy Award winner Alan Silvestri and six-time Grammy winner Glen Ballard, alongside classics from the film such as “The Power of Love” and “Johnny B Goode.”

The musical recently concluded its run in London’s West End at the Adelphi Theatre.

Set to open in Bristol in October, the tour will then visit theatres across the country. See dates here.

Roger Bart will return to the show as Doc Brown, having originated the role on stage in the West End, on Broadway and internationally. Axel Duffy will play Marty McFly.

Bart is scheduled to open the tour at the Bristol Hippodrome and play at the Edinburgh Playhouse. Further casting for the role of Doc Brown, and the remaining company is to be announced.

Producer Colin Ingram said, “We’re thrilled to welcome back stage and screen star Roger Bart to the Delorean in Bristol and Edinburgh after creating the role of Doc Brown in the West End production and playing it in Sydney and on Broadway where he was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance; Roger has a gift of musical comedy acting that is up there with Nathan Lane and Martin Short. At the same time, we can’t wait to introduce Axel Duffy who wowed audiences playing Marty McFly in Sydney. Back to the Future is one of the most technically ambitious productions to ever tour the UK and Ireland, combining groundbreaking stagecraft, spectacular effects and beloved storytelling on a scale rarely seen on the road. Finding performers who can not only meet those demands but also capture the spirit of these legendary characters is essential – the audiences are in for something special!”

The show is directed by Tony Award-winner John Rando, with set and costume design by Tim Hatley, choreography by Chris Bailey, illusions by Chris Fisher, lighting design by Tim Lutkin and Hugh Vanstone, sound by Gareth Owen and video design by Finn Ross. Musical supervision and arrangements are by Nick Finlow, with orchestrations by Ethan Popp and Bryan Crook, dance arrangements by David Chase, and casting by David Grindrod for Grindrod Burton Casting.

It has won multiple awards, including the WhatsOnStage and Olivier Awards for Best New Musical. Internationally, the show has been staged in Australia, North America, Japan and on Royal Caribbean Cruises. To date, it has been seen by over four million people worldwide.

The original film, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2025, grossed $360.6 million worldwide at the box office, with the trilogy earning $936.6 million in total (over $1.8 billion in today’s dollars). The story of Marty, Doc Brown and the time-travelling DeLorean has since become a cultural touchstone.