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Although not pleased with the way he is depicted in “Get Up, Stand Up!”, Island Records founder Chris Blackwell is “very impressed” with the play about Bob Marley which opened in London last week.
In a recent interview with the Jamaica Observer, Blackwell said he has seen the production four times. He had high marks for actors Arinze Kene and Michael Duke who alternate as Marley.
“They’re really great,” said Blackwell. “I think we are very fortunate to have two singers who are so similar to Bob it’s uncanny.
“Everybody in the theatre stood and applauded and applauded and applauded. I’m really excited about it and I think it’s going to do really well.” The 84-year-old music industry mogul is largely credited with Marley’s international rise during the 1970s.
Island Records distributed the singer/songwriter’s albums during that period.
Marley died in May 1981 at age 36.
The tumultuous relationship he reportedly had with Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer, Marley’s colleagues in The Wailers, is reflected in “Get Up, Stand Up!” Blackwell is “not exactly” thrilled with how he is portrayed, but has no problems with the script. “On the other hand, it doesn’t hurt the musical and I think the audience would probably find it funny,” he said. Marley, Tosh and Wailer recorded two albums (“Catch A Fire” and “Burning”) as The Wailers for Island Records in 1973. Tosh and Wailer left the group the following year; their differences with the Island Records boss are well-documented.
Charles Blyth and Henry Faber play Blackwell in “Get Up, Stand Up!”
After a handful of pre-releases, Get Up, Stand Up! Officially opened at the Lyric Theatre in the West End on Wednesday last week. It is directed by Clint Dyer.
Reviews have been generally good. For the BroadwayWorld website, Debbie Gilpin wrote: “Quite simply put, this is the best new jukebox musical in years. It ticks all the boxes you need for a good night out: it’s entertaining, there’s an emotional heart, the musical performances are superb, and it has something to say. — Jamaica Observer
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