Robert Jackman

An exclusive look at Graham Linehan’s Father Ted musical

The comedy writer turned culture warrior tells us about his struggles to stage the hit sitcom he co-created

‘I get so confused as to why people aren’t with me’: Graham Linehan, co-creator of Father Ted. Credit: Rob Monk / Edge Magazine / Future / Getty Images  
issue 01 June 2024

The tree-lined streets of Rotherhithe are an odd place to unveil a West End musical. But this is a suitably odd situation. Graham Linehan – lauded comedy writer turned culture warrior – is about to unveil what he calls ‘a musical that may never be seen’.

For much of the past 30 years, the idea of turning Father Ted, cult sitcom of the 1990s, into a West End musical would have seemed a hot prospect – certainly to the legions of nerdy, largely male fans who still stream episodes decades later. Once upon a time, it looked destined for Shaftesbury Avenue, backed by one of the biggest names in theatre. Now it might be going nowhere.

The company which produced Father Ted offered Linehan £200,000 to take his name off the project

When we meet at his east London apartment, Linehan concedes that, by doing an impromptu read-through, I may end up as one of the last members of the small club of people who have ‘seen’ the show.

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