It is described in press materials as "a satirical romp that follows an innocent young boy from the streets of Jalalabad to the West." Targeted by an American reporter looking to create her own TV-ready terrorist, he soon finds himself in the midst of an actual sleeper cell run by an inept cast of characters. The show – which reportedly features singing camels, dancing girls and a heartfelt hero – sends up ethnic stereotypes, politics and big business, and the love affair between terrorism and the media. Songs include "Axis of Freedom," "Building a Bomb Today," "I Wanna Be Like Osama", "Marvellous France" and "Scary Mary."
Featuring book by Zoe Samuel, music by Benjamin Scheuer and lyrics by both Samuel and Scheuer, the musical is directed by Gordon Greenberg, and features a cast that includes Delroy Atkinson, Gina Murray and Sorab Wadia.
Atkinson was part of the ensemble of Jerry Springer – the Opera at the National Theatre, whose entire chorus was named winner of the Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role; he has also been seen in Avenue Q at the West End's Gielgud Theatre and The Enchanted Pig at the Young Vic. Murray has appeared in the West End in Fame, Chicago and The Full Monty. The New York based Wadia, who created the role of Hussein al-Mansour in the Edinburgh Fringe, returns to recreate the role. He has previously played Ali Hakim in the U.S tour of Trevor Nunn's National Theatre production of Oklahoma!, and has appeared on American TV in "30 Rock" and "Grand Theft Auto IV."
The cast is completed by Tara Carrozza, Richard David-Caine and Yannick Fernandes. Musical direction is by Elliot Davis, with choreography by Nick Winston, design by Lucy Bradridge and lighting by Mike Robertson.
To book tickets, contact the box office eon 020 7287 2875, or visit www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk