One Day (musical)
| One Day | |
|---|---|
| The Musical | |
 | |
| Music | Amanda Sudano Abner Ramirez |
| Lyrics | Amanda Sudano Abner Ramirez Freya Catrin Smith (additional lyrics) |
| Book | David Greig |
| Setting | Edinburgh St Swithin's Day |
| Basis | One Day by David Nicholls |
| Premiere | 12 March 2026: Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh |
One Day is an upcoming musical with music and lyrics by Amanda Sudano and Abner Ramirez (with additional lyrics by Freya Catrin Smith) and a book by David Greig, based on the 2009 novel of the same name. Directed by Max Webster, the world premiere production of One Day is expected to open in Edinburgh at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in March 2026.[1]
Background
The musical is based on the 2009 novel One Day, by David Nicholls.[2] The novel sold over six million copies worldwide and was translated into forty languages.[3] It won the 2010 Galaxy Book of the Year,[4] and has been adapted into a feature film[5] and television series for Netflix.[6] On its release in 2009, Producer Simon Friend read the novel on the tube,[7] and subsequently tried to produce an adaption of One Day, for over a decade.[8]
The idea for the novel came to Nicholls whilst adapting Hardy's Tess of the D'Urbervilles, a novel he had previously read as a student.[9] He was reminded by a particular passage that indicated that one date, held more significance to Tess than any other.[8] "There it was again; that ordinary day that turns out not to be ordinary at all."[9]
Set in Edinburgh,[10] the musical sees Dexter and Emma graduate on St Swithin's Day in 1988. Over the next 20 years, we see snapshots of the same day each year; showing how their lives unfold.[11]
Production History
The musical is scheduled to receive its world premiere at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, on 12 March 2026, following previews from 27 February.[12] Prior to opening at the Lyceum, the run was extended by two weeks until 19 April.[13]
The theatre will be reconfigured as in the round, including on stage seating.[14] Initial casting was announced on St Swithin's Day 2025, with Jamie Muscato playing Dexter and Sharon Rose as Emma.[15] Further principal casting included Josefina Gabrielle as Alison Mayhew,[16] Miracle Chance as Tilly,[16] Dan Buckley as Ian,[16] Kelly Hampson as Sylvie,[16] Peter Hannah as Callum,[16] David Birrell as Stephen,[16] and Matthew McKenna as Mr Godalming.[16]
The production has a book by the former Artistic Director of the Lyceum David Greig[8] and features a score by Johnnyswim members Abner and Amanda Ramirez.[8] Set and costume designs are by Rae Smith,[8] with lighting by Bruno Poet,[8] sound design by Simon Baker,[8] arrangements by Nigel Lilley,[8] and orchestrations by Simon Hale.[8] It is directed by Max Webster,[8] with choreography by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille.[8]
Cast and characters
| Character | World Premiere |
|---|---|
| 2025 | |
| Dexter Mayhew | Jamie Muscato[17] |
| Emma Morley | Sharon Rose[17] |
| Alison Mayhew | Josefina Gabrielle[16] |
| Tilly | Miracle Chance[16] |
| Sylvie | Kelly Hampson[16] |
| Ian | Dan Buckley[16] |
| Callum | Peter Hannah[16] |
| Stephen | David Birrell[16] |
| Mr Godalming | Matthew McKenna[16] |
See also
- One Day (novel), 2009 novel
- One Day, 2011 feature film
- One Day (TV series), 2024 television adaption
References
- ^ "Best-selling book One Day to become new Scottish musical". heraldscotland.com. The Herald (Glasgow). 15 May 2025. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ "New musical based on One Day novel to receive world premiere production". whatsonstage.com. WhatsOnStage.com. 15 May 2025. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ "One Day author David Nicholls on writing the British love story that's left the world heartbroken". bbc.co.uk/culture. BBC Culture. 23 April 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
- ^ "David Nicholls One Day is Galaxy Book of the Year". GNBA. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "Can One Day be one big success?". bbc.co.uk/news. BBC News. 25 August 2011. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "One Day review: Netflix's 'beautiful, note-perfect' love story is a hit". bbc.co.uk/culture. BBC Culture. 6 February 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "New Musical Adaptation ONE DAY To Have World Premiere At The Royal Lyceum". broadwayworld.com. BroadwayWorld. 15 May 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "One Day to become stage musical at Edinburgh Lyceum". thestage.co.uk. The Stage. 15 May 2025. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ a b Nicholls, David (13 February 2021). "David Nicholls on One Day: 'I wanted to write an epic love story'". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
- ^ "Popular Scottish city pub to be recreated as musical writer vows to 'restore story of One Day to Edinburgh'". scotsman.com. The Scotsman. 17 June 2025. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
- ^ "One Day The Musical". broadwayworld.com. Melting Pot. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
- ^ "One Day: The Musical". lyceum.org.uk. Royal Lyceum Theatre . Retrieved 22 June 2025.
- ^ "One Day musical extends run and releases rehearsal photos". whatsonstage.com. WhatsOnStage.com. 15 January 2026. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
- ^ "One Day: The Musical - Seating Plan". lyceum.org.uk. Royal Lyceum Theatre . Retrieved 22 June 2025.
- ^ "One Day musical announces lead casting ahead of world premiere". whatsonstage.com. WhatsOnStage.com. 15 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "One Day musical reveals full cast ahead of world premiere". whatsonstage.com. WhatsOnStage.com. 19 December 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- ^ a b "Jamie Muscato and Sharon Rose to lead One Day musical". thestage.co.uk. The Stage. 15 July 2025. Archived from the original on July 15, 2025. Retrieved 16 July 2025.