Aim

Based on the true stories of John McCarthy & Jill Morrell - to stage & tour new, original musical from writer/composer Adrian Kimberlin

This brand-new musical dramedy - drama comedy - is based on the real-life experiences of Jill Morrell and John McCarthy. The couple made headlines in 1986 when John, a British journalist, was kidnapped in war-torn Beirut. Frustrated by government inaction, Jill resolved to raise awareness and formed the campaign group 'The Friends Of John McCarthy'. For more than five desperate years, McCarthy remained a hostage. Placing sharp focus on the very human elements of their situation, the show goes on to explore events beyond a joyful reunion under an intense media spotlight and with the fairy-tale expectations of an enthralled public.

Claire Russell, who plays Jill Morrell, sings a clip from 'The Woman Who Waits' here - https://fb.watch/kS-fEO6yB8/

'After This Plane Has Landed' received encouraging feedback from its previews in June 2023: “delightful metatheatrical production” We Love Brum *****; “inventive and exciting musical” David Edgar, playwright; “compellingly dramatic with a touch of musical courage” West End Best Friend ****; “the lyrics are sophisticated and witty” Bum on a Seat ****; “a war-torn love story with mass appeal” Curtain Call Reviews ****; “one cracker of a show” Euan Rose Reviews ****. 

Writer/composer Adrian Kimberlin had considerable regional/fringe success with his debut full-length musical 'The Stars That Remain' in 2018, but the cast size of 11- playing 13 roles - proved prohibitively expensive to tour. Adrian has responded with this compact, two-hander musical of one-hour showcase fringe length. 

Conceived originally as an intimate yet expansive two-hander, ‘After This Plane Has Landed’ will feature a completely original score of solo and duet songs with backing professionally orchestrated and recorded. There is also an intention to draw on elements of comedic metadrama to complement the narrative and touch on the compromises willingly made in the drive to bring ambitious new writing before an audience. The concept is to shape the show in a way which can combine ‘fringe’ as well as mainstream sensibilities.

'After This Plane Has Landed' will be premiered at Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August, after being previewed in Adrian's home city of Birmingham in June and July. 

All ticket sales at both the preview and premiere performances will off-set some costs of staging the musical, such as creative fees/expenses and marketing, however any additional 'crowdfunds' will be used meet the high costs of renting accommodtion and hiring a venue for a full three-week run at the Fringe.

Whilst at the Fringe, we will mark the anniversary date - 8 August 1991 - when John McCarthy was released 32 years ago, and also highlight the 558 journalists and media workers currently detained around the world (RSF Reporters Without Borders - Real-Time Barometer - 31 May 2023)

Being able to meet our costs and pay our actors a professional fee, in order to take the best possible advantage of the unique national/international showcase opportunity that Edinburgh Festival Fringe offers, we hope will enable 'After This Plane Has Landed' to properly leave the runway and take off for a UK tour in 2024/25.

Listen to three song clips from 'After This Plane Has Landed', including the title number, here - https://soundcloud.com/adriankimberlin

This project successfully funded on 28th August 2023