We’re Announcing The Iconic 60s Soundtrack Of ‘Caroline – A New Musical’ On World Radio Day
SHE’S NOT A DJ. SHE’S NOT A ROCK STAR. BUT IN THE MIDDLE OF BRITAIN’S RADIO REVOLUTION, CAROLINE MIGHT JUST STEAL THE SHOW
Caroline – A New Musical is inspired by the true story of Britain’s pirate radio revolution which set the soundtrack to the sixties and gave a whole generation a new voice. Today, on World Radio Day, as we celebrate the power of broadcasting and confirm the iconic lineup of 1960s hits that will provide the soundtrack to power this vibrant new show.
Packed with era-defining anthems, Caroline – A New Musical will feature unforgettable tracks that shaped a generation, and will include:
- – My Generation by The Who
- – Not Fade Away by The Rolling Stones
- – Reach Out (I’ll Be There) by The Four Tops
- – Shout by Lulu & The Luvvers
- – Keep On Running by The Spencer Davis Group
- – Dead End Street by The Kinks
- – As Tears Go By from Marianne Faithfull
From soul-stirring ballads to full-throttle rock ’n’ roll, the show explodes with the energy, optimism and rebellion of the 1960s. Expect soaring harmonies, heartbreak, dance-floor energy and pure sixties joy. Sweeping from chip shops to shipping lanes, from tiny transistor radios to the halls of power, Caroline is a funny, heartfelt musical about love and loyalty celebrating East Anglia’s special connection to a story that rocked the world.
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.
Caroline is co-produced by partners of East Anglian Touring Consortium including New Wolsey Theatre, Landmark Theatres, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Mercury Theatre Colchester, Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, Hightide and Eastern Angles. With thanks to Arts Council England and National Theatre Generator programme. It 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).
With a cast of actor-musicians to be announced, the world premiere of Caroline – A New Musical will open at the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich on 17 April 2026 before visiting Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, New Theatre Peterborough, Mercury Theatre Colchester and Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds.
Caroline – A New Musical is a feel-good blast of 60s hits, heart, and hometown pride capturing the moment Britain turned up the volume and never looked back.
