Writer Adrian Kimberlin explores the real-life stories – beyond the headlines - of kidnapped journalist John McCarthy and his partner Jill Morrell, who campaigned for his release in the 1990s, in his new musical, After This Plane Has Landed.

The couple made headlines in 1986 when John, a British journalist, was kidnapped in war-torn Beirut. Frustrated by government inaction, Jill resolved to raise awareness and formed the campaign group, ‘The Friends Of John McCarthy’. For more than five desperate years, McCarthy remained a hostage. 

After This Plane Has Landed places sharp focus on the very human elements of their situation. It goes on to explore events beyond a joyful reunion under an intense media spotlight and with the fairy-tale expectations of an enthralled public.

The brand new, original musical drama comedy – dramedy – will premiere at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August, with preview performances in a pop-up pub theatre in Birmingham in June. 

Adrian Kimberlin said: “I was really drawn to the inspirational stories of Jill Morrell and John McCarthy, which I remembered quite vividly. I think people of a particular generation will also recall events of the time though not necessarily be aware of ‘what happened next’. 

“Much of the subject matter is specific and remarkable but universal themes of love and separation, reunion and beyond will chime, I believe, with a younger audience and indeed resonate with everybody, not just aficionados of musicals!”

He added: “Following the success of my previous show, The Stars That Remain which requires a cast of eleven, I was keen to write a more compact two-hander musical ‘dramedy’ based on real events. 

“Musical theatre is such a broad church these days, I see no reason why new and entertaining adult-themed drama with well-crafted musical numbers shouldn’t sit comfortably alongside ‘jukebox’ musicals or spin-off shows based on movies or TV.”

Exit Productions has teamed-up with local promoter and former BBC communications and events manager, Rebecca Jones-Owen, to stage the previews in The Dark Horse after her sold-out ‘pub theatre’ success in Moseley last summer with Saltire Sky Theatre Company’s award-winning play, 1902. 

Tickets for Birmingham can be purchased here or for the Edinburgh Fringe run, click here.