Radio Caroline tale inspires new musical heading to Peterborough

Caroline: A New Musical – the first work from the newly formed East Anglian Touring Consortium – will tour in 2026, including a five-day run at Peterborough New theatre from May 19-23.

A radio station for young people! Why do we need that?

Caroline dreams of something more than stacking shelves at the local greengrocers. Her days are routine, but her nights come alive, walking the pier, sharing laughs with her best friend Mary, and spinning records with Robbie, her music-mad boyfriend who’s big on charm yet short on direction.

But a music revolution is coming, and Robbie lands a shock gig with Radio Caroline - the pirate radio station blasting pop, soul and rock ’n’ roll from a ship off the Essex coast and suddenly everything changes. Caroline is swept into a tidal wave of music, mayhem and a movement that would shake up British culture forever.

The Musical is inspired by the true story of Radio Caroline, the pirate radio station launched in 1964. Broadcasting pop and rock music from a ship anchored in international waters off the East Anglian coast, Radio Caroline broke the monopoly on radio entertainment, capturing millions of listeners hungry for something new. In 1967, the Marine Broadcasting Offences Act made it illegal to support offshore stations, forcing most to close, but Caroline kept going against the odds. Despite shipwrecks, legal battles, and decades of struggle, it survived and eventually became a licensed station.

Today Radio Caroline broadcasts legally in the UK on 648 and DAB, and around the world online.

With a cast of actor-musicians, the musical features iconic hits from the 60s in a vibrant, heart-warming and rebellious new musical about love, ambition and discovering your own voice.

Caroline: A New Musical is penned by the award-winning writer Vikki Stone and directed by Douglas Rintoul (Chief Executive/Artistic Director at the New Wolsey Theatre) and Alex Thorpe (Co-Creative Director at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch).

Essex local Vikki Stone says “It has been a delight to develop Caroline, a bold, loud, and joyfully defiant show which celebrates the rich cultural history of the East Anglia”

Douglas Rintoul adds “As someone who also grew up in the area, I’m thrilled that we’re bringing this extraordinary story home. We are committed to creating high-quality, original theatre made by and for the people of East Anglia and what better story to tell than one that’s so deeply rooted in our region’s rebellious, creative spirit? Caroline celebrates the mavericks who changed the airwaves forever, blending wit, heart, and a glorious soundtrack that defined a generation. Audiences can expect an uplifting, joyful, and distinctly East Anglian story told with all the energy, humour, and humanity that defines our actor-musician work.”

The East Anglian Touring Consortium unites eight leading regional arts organisations from across East Anglia: Eastern Angles, HighTide, Landmark Theatres (New Theatre Peterborough), Mercury Theatre Colchester, New Wolsey Theatre, Norwich Theatre, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, and Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds. Their mission is to create a sustainable, inclusive model for midscale touring, producing original theatre that champions local talent and reaches under-served communities. Supported by Arts Council England, it aims to strengthen East Anglia’s creative economy, expand access to the arts, and set a national example for collaborative, environmentally responsible theatre-making.

Paul Jepson, CEO and Creative Director at Landmark Theatre (which operates the city’s New Theatre), the lead organisation for this phase of funding, confirms “we have a commitment to provide accessible and affordable tickets across the region and will be offering tickets from £15 at every performance across the tour to ensure our communities can join us to celebrate this fantastic local story and enjoy a great night out at their local theatre”

Caroline: A New Musical is a feel-good blast of 60s hits, heart, and hometown pride.

Tickets from www.newtheatre-peterborough.com