A musical version of John Lennon’s 2009 biopic Nowhere Boy is to be adapted for the stage. The original film starred Aaron Johnson as Lennon's character along with Kristin Scott Thomas, David Morrissey and Anne-Marie Duff.
The film directed at the time by newcomer Sam Taylor-Wood, was based on a book, Nowhere Boy , written by Julia Baird the half-sister of John Lennon. The film is based around Lennon’s life growing up as a teenager.
The idea to set the book as a stage musical was the brainchild of producing partners Brian and Dayna Lee (of AF Creative Media) and Robyn Goodman and Josh Fiedler (of Aged in Wood).
According to the NME, the rights to the biopic have been acquired and the early stages of development have begun. The musical will basically follow the same line that was followed in the original film.
The story will focus around the relationship Lennon had with two very powerful yet different women who influenced his early life around the time of the Quarrymen-era, his mother Julia and her older sister Mimi, Lennon’s aunt.
Brian Lee one of the producers of Nowhere Boy is hoping to premiere the stage version to UK audiences over the next few years. Lee confirmed details about the production:
“We’ve just secured the rights of the film. And as a team we’ll be travelling to London this summer, trying to figure out the right person to bring this narrative to life”.
There are no plans to acquire any additional rights to music or life events around John Lennon, and while Yoko Ono has no direct involvement, she is aware of the plans to create a stage version.
Similar to the film, the musical version of Nowhere Boy, will not include Beatles songs, but will use rock and roll hits from the 1950's.
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