Daddy Cool

Recently Updated

Daddy Cool: A Boney M Jukebox on the West End

"Daddy Cool," a musical fueled by the hits of Boney M and other Frank Farian-produced artists, premiered at London’s Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End on September 21, 2006, following previews from August 15. With a book by Stephen Plaice and Amani Naphtali, directed by Andy Goldberg, the show ran until February 17, 2007, clocking in at roughly 180 performances over six months. Set in multicultural London, it follows Sunny, a music-driven youth caught in a feud between East and West London crews, whose romance with Rose daughter of club owner Ma Baker echoes "Romeo and Juliet." A high-energy tribute to 1970s disco, it blended nostalgia with urban flair, though its brief run reflected mixed critical reception.

Origins and Development

The musical sprang from Frank Farian’s catalog, spearheaded by producers Farian and Robert Mackintosh. Initially slated for May 16, 2006, with previews from April 26, delays pushed the opening to September as the team refined its vision. Inspired by Boney M’s global success over 800 million album sales the show wove a narrative around Sunny’s journey, drawing loose parallels to "West Side Story." Naphtali and Plaice crafted a modern tale of rival gangs, the Subsonics and the Blades, integrating Farian’s hits like "Rivers of Babylon" and "Daddy Cool." Creative associate Gurinder Chadha and choreographer Sean Cheesman added contemporary zest, aiming to bridge disco’s past with London’s present.

The West End Run

Opening at the newly refurbished Shaftesbury Theatre, "Daddy Cool" starred Michelle Collins as Ma Baker, Harvey (of So Solid Crew) as Shake, Dwayne Wint as Sunny, and Camilla Beeput as Rose, with Donovan F. Blackwood as Rasputin and Javine as Asia Blue. Jon Morrell’s vivid sets and costumes, paired with David Hersey’s lighting, conjured a pulsating club vibe. Despite a rocky start early previews were postponed the show found its footing, running six months. Its finale at Notting Hill Carnival, complete with "The Calendar Song," aimed to ignite audiences, though it struggled to sustain momentum beyond its fanbase, closing earlier than hoped.

Musical and Theatrical Highlights

The score pulsed with Boney M classics "Ma Baker," "Brown Girl in the Ring," "Rasputin" plus Milli Vanilli’s "Girl I’m Gonna Miss You" and No Mercy’s "Where Do You Go." Standouts included Melanie La Barrie’s soulful "I Can’t Stand the Rain" and Harvey’s dynamic MCing, lifting club scenes with raw energy. Cheesman’s choreography fused disco with modern dance, while the 12-piece band drove the retro beats. The plot, though thin, climaxed with Sunny framed for a shooting, resolved by Naz’s betrayal of Benny. Critics noted the music outshone the story, with post-curtain call singalongs stealing the night.

Beyond the West End

After its London stint, "Daddy Cool" toured internationally, opening in Berlin on April 26, 2007, for two months, followed by Denmark in 2009 and a UK tour hitting Aberdeen in June 2008. Productions popped up in the Netherlands (2011-2012), Spain (2012), and Switzerland (2015-2016), with a German tour gaining traction by 2017. The original London cast recording, released April 2007 by SonyBMG, captured its vibrant sound, though it’s now a niche find on Amazon UK and Germany. While it never hit Broadway, its global jaunts kept Farian’s legacy alive in theater circles.

Legacy and Cultural Echoes

"Daddy Cool" rode the jukebox musical wave, predating polished hits like "Jersey Boys," but its West End run revealed the genre’s pitfalls nostalgia alone couldn’t mask a shaky plot. Critics like Charles Spencer saw potential in its energy, yet others, like The West End Whingers, dubbed it among the worst musicals seen. Still, it drew Boney M devotees and urban music fans, offering a rare black-led narrative in 2000s West End fare. As of March 2025, its legacy leans on its infectious tunes and bold ambition, a disco-fueled time capsule that danced brightly, if briefly, on London’s stage.