Get ready to turn up the volume as Caroline: A New Musical is bringing 1960s rock rebellion to UK theatres in 2026. Produced by the East Anglian Touring Consortium, this brand-new British musical celebrates the revolutionary spirit of Radio Caroline, the pirate radio station that changed music forever.
The world premiere opens at the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich on 17 April 2026, before touring to venues including Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, New Theatre Peterborough, Mercury Theatre Colchester and Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds.
Written by Vikki Stone and directed by Douglas Rintoul and Alex Thorpe, Caroline tells the story of an ordinary young woman whose life is transformed when the pirate station broadcasts from a ship off the Essex coast. As her boyfriend Robbie joins the crew, Caroline finds herself swept into a whirlwind of love, music and rebellion.
Featuring iconic 60s hits performed by a cast of actor-musicians, the show captures the energy, humour and heart of a generation that refused to play by the rules. The musical pays homage not just to the birth of pop culture but also to East Anglia’s role in shaping it.
Producer Douglas Rintoul describes Caroline as:
“a loud, joyful celebration of local history and national identity,” while writer Vikki Stone calls it “a love letter to the rebels who rewrote the sound of Britain.”
Supported by Arts Council England, the East Anglian Touring Consortium brings together regional theatres to champion creativity, accessibility and community. With tickets starting at just £15, Caroline: A New Musical promises to be one of 2026’s brightest and boldest new musical theatre tours.
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