Julian Clary is to join the cast of Boy George's West End musical Taboo beginning Sept. 9. Best known for his campiness, outrageous costumes and TV presenting, he will play the role of the 1980's style icon and performance artist Leigh Bowery, which is currently being played by Boy George.

Former "Neighbours" star Mark Little will take over the role from Boy George for the summer before Clary joins the cast.

Taboo mixes fact with fiction as it tells a love story against the backdrop of the gallery of characters who helped to make the 1980's London club scene the most exciting in the world. Among these were Steve Strange, Leigh Bowery, Marilyn and Philip Sallon and, naturally, Boy George himself.

While Taboo includes snippets of some Culture Club classics, Boy George has written an original score with all-new songs. The book (now substantially revised) is by Mark (This Life) Davies-Markham, and it is directed by award-winning West End and Broadway director Christopher Renshaw, who has also directed the Queen musical We Will Rock You, now at the Dominion Theatre. Taboo is now playing at The Venue.

—By Paul Webb Theatrenow