London's Zelda Fitzgerald Musical Now Streams Free Globally

The musical, set to premiere in New York as a concert in August 2023, tells the story of the iconic big-spender American figures who became the world's envy in the glittering 1920s.

Following critical acclaim at its pre-London run at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford, the show, which was initially titled "Beautiful and Damned," transferred to The Lyric Theatre in London's West End, where it played for several months.

Zelda: the musical was initially conceived by international songwriter Roger Cook, who collaborated with fellow songwriter and musician Les Reed to compose the musical score. The show's first production was staged at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Guildford in June 2003, starring Helen Anker as Zelda and John Barrowman as F. Scott Fitzgerald.

In April 2004, the show transferred to London's West End starring Helen Anker as Zelda and Michael Praed as F. Scott Fitzgerald, with direction and choreography by Craig Revel Horwood.

A live performance of the show was filmed for archive purposes in London and can be streamed globally for free.

Zelda the Musical will premiere in New York this August when an updated concert version of the show will be performed at 54 Below. The concert will star newcomers Hannah Elliott and Rob Tucker, as well as TikTok personality Brenna Patzer. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased through 54 Below.

The musical did not get much love from critics when it first opened, with Robert Hanks writing in his Independent review that "Kit Hesketh Harvey has done his best to cobble together a coherent book - the story is narrated in flashback by Zelda to her psychiatrist. The device at least explains away some of the show's distortions of fact, but it is not well sustained, and Helen Anker's portrayal of insanity is picturesque and stereotyped. Odd flashes of wit - primarily involving David Burt's droll Hemingway - are drowned out by inanity: "Get out of Hollywood," Fitzgerald's publisher advises him, "Go back to Zelda. She's your inspiration, always has been." Craig Revel Horwood's direction and choreography are uninspired and take place in front of one of the most revolting sets I have ever seen."