Audiences at the West End musical Back to the Future will see three actors play Marty McFly in a single evening next month.
To mark the 40th anniversary of the original film’s release, two of the musical’s former lead actors, Olly Dobson and Ben Joyce, will return to share the part with its current star, Caden Brauch, on 3 December at the Adelphi theatre. The show will begin with Joyce as the teenage time-traveller before Brauch takes over for the middle section and Dobson ends in the role. All three will then perform the final number, Back in Time, together.
“Originating the role of Marty is undeniably the highlight of my career,” said Dobson. “To be stepping back into his shoes for one night only is super exciting.” Dobson performed the part at the Manchester Opera House in 2020 and at the Adelphi in its 2021 West End premiere which was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic. “It’s such a thrill to return to this production,” Joyce said. “I’m so excited to perform alongside both Olly and Caden – it’s not often you get three Martys on one stage!” Back to the Future brought Dobson an Olivier award nomination for best actor in a musical. Joyce received a WhatsOnStage award nomination for best takeover for his performance.
Brauch began in the role earlier this year. Gok Wan recently made a cameo appearance as Principal Strickland in the show to celebrate Back to the Future Day on 21 October, the date that Marty travels to the future in Back to the Future Part II. The film sequel uses trickery to find Michael J Fox sharing the screen with himself in a scene when Marty has a near run-in with his future son.
Guest appearances at gala musical productions provide the audience, often comprising diehard fans, with a unique experience such as when five actors who have played Rafiki around Europe came together at the culmination of a West End gala for The Lion King in 2024. Les Misérables celebrated its 40th birthday in October by bringing stars including Patti LuPone and Michael Ball on stage to sing a finale. Going one step further, Kerry Ellis, Louise Dearman and Rachel Tucker – who have all played Elphaba in Wicked – will tour together next year with a concert entitled Gravity featuring songs from their musical careers, including Wicked.
When Back to the Future was released in 1985, the Hollywood Reporter announced: “The movie isn’t just fun. It’s fun at the speed of light, a whiz-bang time-travel adventure likely to result in some decidedly high-octane box office dollars.”
