Selling an estimated 200 million copies worldwide, the NOW That’s What I Call Music album was launched in 1983 and has gone on to include some of the world’s most famous artists. The show will take huge inspiration from this and include hits from Whitney Houston, Wham!, Blondie, Tears For Fears, Spandau Ballet and many more. 

Craig Revel Horwood, who will direct and choreograph the new musical, said: “This is a beautiful and funny story about two school girls navigating life through their shared love of music.

“Pippa (Evans) has written a script that takes you right back to sharing your Walkman headphones with your best friend, escaping the boring day to day and dancing like nobody is watching.

“Everybody remembers getting the latest NOW That’s What I Call Music Album! Our show is packed full of the biggest hits of the era and I cannot wait to get started and you will love it.”

“NOW has always celebrated the creative diversity and all-round magic of pop music. This combination of a life-affirming story and fantastic music selection will make such a strong connection with the audience.”

Jamii Layton, managing director of NOW That’s What I Call Music.

The tour will open at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre on 6th September 2024, with stops on the run including Nottingham (24th - 28th September 2024), Milton Keynes (12th - 16th November 2024), Manchester (28th January - 1st February 2025), Birmingham (11th - 15th March 2024), Oxford (25th - 29th March 2025) and London (8th - 12th April 2025). You can see the full touring dates and venues by clicking here. 

The plot

It’s Birmingham, 1989. Two school friends, Gemma and April, are busy with very important business - planning their lives based on Number One Magazine quizzes and dreaming of snogging Rick Astley.

Cut to Birmingham 2009 and it’s the most dreaded event of their lives– the school reunion. Drama, old flames and receding hairlines come together as friends reunite and everything from the past starts to slot into place.

Jamii Layton, managing director of NOW That’s What I Call Music said:“Now That’s What I Call Music is 40 years old this year, and with our albums having become such an integral part of the soundtrack of peoples’ lives over that time, it is thrilling for the brand to be headlining such a warm and fun-packed show.

“NOW has always celebrated the creative diversity and all-round magic of pop music. This combination of a life-affirming story and fantastic music selection will make such a strong connection with the audience.

“It’s a great way for NOW to salute our legacy and also look forward to the future, continuing to celebrate the best in past and present hits.”