Disco Inferno is a 1970s jukebox musical written by Jai Sepple. Set in the East End of London in 1976, the show features songs from the era and is loosely based on the story of Faust.
Original productions
The musical debuted at the Queens Theatre, Hornchurch in 1999 with revised revivals at the Towngate Theatre, Basildon in 2004 the Kenneth More Theatre, Ilford in 2006.
Character list
The characters in Disco Inferno were named after well-known characters from songs of the era, such as "Jumpin' Jack Flash", "Wuthering Heights" and "Lady Marmalade".
Jack - a young and impressionable wannabe 'superstar'
Jane - Jack's devoted girlfriend / fiancée
Tom - Jack's lifelong and slightly nerdish best friend
Maggie - Tom's girlfriend and female equivalent
Heathcliffe - an egotistical, malevolent singer in the 'Disco Inferno'
Kathy - Heathcliffe's long-suffering girlfriend
Terry - Smooth talking DJ and friend to Jack and Tom
Duke - an aging rocker and owner of the nightclub
Lady Marmalade - the femme fatale
Nick Diablo - eccentric English fashion guru
Lily - a flamboyant barman
The character of Nick Diablo was omitted from both the 2006 and 2012 productions and Lily were omitted from the 2012 UK tour. Some of the characters names' were changed in the 2012 UK tour: Lady Marmalade was renamed Lucretia MacEvil, Kathy was renamed Roxanne and Terry was renamed Billy.
Original casts
Plot synopsis
The show is set in London in 1976; the hottest summer on record. Disco Inferno tells the story of an ambitious and talented hopeful, Jack, and his "burning" desire to make it in the music industry. Working late in a London nightclub, Jack meets Lucretia McEvil – a femme fatale and incarnation of the Devil. Dreaming of becoming successful, he makes a Faustian pact with her, trading his soul to fulfill his wildest fantasies.
Jack soon becomes an international success, making appearances on radio and television shows, but success proves hollow. He has the fame and fortune he's always dreamed of but is losing something far more important – his devoted girlfriend, Jane. One disaster quickly follows another. If only he could turn back time... If only he could make one more deal, trading all he now has for something far more important... the love of his life.
Performances
Disco Inferno has been performed around the world since it initial debut, countries have included the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Jamaica, Sweden, New Zealand, Australia, Pakistan and Norway.
Music
Generally due to copyright restrictions in different countries songs have varied from production to production. The 2012 UK Tour version of the script was considerably revised.
2004 London premiere
Act One
Overture (Instrumental) Celebration/ A Night To Remember (Jack & Company) If You Leave Me Now (Heathcliffe, Kathy, Jane & Jack) You Got What It Takes (Heathcliffe) Space Oddity / I Lost My Heart to a Starship Trooper (Terry & Company) Crocodile Rock (Duke, Jack, Tom & Terry) Kissing in the Back Row (Tom & Company) Hot Stuff (Lady Marmalade & Acolytes) Some Girls (Tom & Guys) You to Me Are Everything (Jack, Jane & Company) Street Life (Kathy) Village People Medley (Terry, Tom, Jack & Company) Brown Eyed Girl (Jack & Company) Leader of the Gang (Heathcliffe) Pop Muzik (Nick Diablo & Company) Money Money Money (Jane, Kathy & Girls) Don't Stop Me Now (Jack & Company)
Act Two
Whole Lotta Lovin' (Instrumental) Waterloo (Abba) Do Ya Think I'm Sexy (Jack & Company) Angel Eyes (Jane & Company) Staying Alive Medley (Jack & Company) This Is It (Maggie & Company) Don't Stop Me Now (Jack & Company) I Will Survive (Jane) Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word (Jack) Enough Is Enough (Kathy & Jane) Don’t Give Up on Us (Jack & Jane) Tragedy (Jack, Lady Marmalade & Company) Fire (Duke & Company) Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting (Heathcliffe & Lady Marmalade) Disco Inferno (Jack, Jane & Company)