Robert Longden

Robert Longden is a British lyricist, librettist, actor, and playwright best known as the co-creator of the cult musical Moby Dick! The Musical. A multifaceted theatre artist, Longden has contributed to British stage and musical theatre through his witty lyrics, inventive storytelling, and distinctive theatrical voice. His work is characterized by bold concepts, humor, and a playful approach to form and genre.

Longden began his career as an actor, training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), and appeared in various stage and screen productions throughout the 1970s and 1980s. He gradually transitioned into writing, where his flair for comedy and love of musical theatre found a natural outlet. His most famous work, Moby Dick! The Musical, was co-written with composer Hereward Kaye and first staged at the Oxford Old Fire Station before catching the attention of producer Cameron Mackintosh.

The musical premiered in the West End in 1992 at the Piccadilly Theatre. A madcap, meta-theatrical take on Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick, the show featured a girls’ school putting on a musical adaptation of the novel as a way to save their institution from closure. Longden’s irreverent lyrics and over-the-top storytelling helped turn the show into a cult favorite, known for its campy humor and energetic score. While it had a short initial run, it has since enjoyed revivals and international productions.

In addition to Moby Dick! The Musical, Longden has written other stage works and remained active in theatre and entertainment, contributing to a variety of musical and dramatic projects. His style often embraces parody and satire, blending classic literary references with contemporary irreverence, making his work appealing to adventurous theatre-makers and audiences alike.

Robert Longden’s contributions to musical theatre continue to resonate in fringe and alternative productions, with Moby Dick! The Musical standing as a testament to his creativity and his willingness to take risks with theatrical form. His work exemplifies a joyful and boundary-pushing spirit that has left a unique mark on British musical theatre.