Today, Thursday 1 May, on the anniversary of Tony Blair’s 1997 general election landslide, the original cast album of TONY! [The Tony Blair Rock Opera] is officially released. Written by Harry Hill and the late Steve Brown, this raucous and satirical musical charts the unlikely journey of Britain’s most marmite Prime Minister — from long-haired wannabe rockstar to globe-straddling war leader. The album, recorded live on tour at The Lowry, is a fitting tribute to Brown, who passed away in February 2024, with all proceeds going to Pulmonary Fibrosis research at Imperial College London. Featuring standout songs such as I’m Gonna Be Somebody, Kill the Infidel, Bombs Away, and Macroeconomics, this release captures the anarchic spirit of a show described by critics as “spikily inventive” and “colossally tasteless – in the best way.” You can stream the album now on Apple Music or Spotify.
17-Point Plot Summary
- The show opens with Tony Blair on his deathbed, surrounded by angels urging him to confess his sins, kicking off a full-throttle musical flashback – this is accompanied by the opening number, My Name is Tony.
- We flash back to Blair’s birth and childhood, where he begins as a peace-loving hippy but quickly grows ambitious and determined to lead.
- At Oxford University, Tony meets Gordon Brown and Cherie Booth, relationships that will shape both his personal and political future.
- Blair has a political awakening and joins the Labour Party, setting his sights on reform and leadership.
- He helps create the concept of New Labour, softening the party’s image to win over the middle class, sung through the number Politics is the New Rock ’n’ Roll.
- Blair wins a landslide victory in the 1997 general election and becomes Prime Minister, celebrated with the song The Land of Hope and Glory.
- When Princess Diana dies, Blair captures the mood of the nation by coining the phrase “the People’s Princess,” portrayed through the song The People’s Princess.
- At Granita restaurant, Blair and Brown allegedly strike a leadership pact, which becomes a key turning point in their rivalry.
- Cherie Blair, Tony’s wife, is portrayed as a powerfully supportive yet self-interested figure, encouraging his ambition with the duet She’s a Lady / He’s My Baby.
- Peter Mandelson appears as a theatrical puppet master, controlling media narratives and helping Blair maintain his polished public image.
- The show dives into Tony’s growing international presence, including his complicated friendships with world leaders like George W. Bush, shown in the duet Special Relationship.
- The Iraq War becomes a major plot point, with Tony’s controversial decision explored through the satirical numbers Kill the Infidel and Bombs Away.
- Gordon Brown’s frustration builds as he waits for Tony to step aside, his impatience and ambition bursting out in a rock ballad reminiscent of He’s a Liar.
- The spin culture of Blair’s government is mocked in a number about media manipulation and control, portraying Tony as more concerned with headlines than truth.
- Scandals and public disillusionment start piling up, causing Blair’s once-soaring popularity to crash, marked by a melancholic group number.
- Blair finally resigns, handing power to Brown, while reflecting on his own legacy with the number The Man I Could Have Been.
- In the final scene, we return to Blair’s deathbed where he offers a final reflection on power, pride, and regret, ending the show with the closing reprise of My Name is Tony.