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Islington Tribune - EXCLUSIVE by SIMON WROE
Published: 23 January 2009

Obama on My Mind at the Hen and
Chickens Theatre

From the West Wing straight to off West End

BARACK Obama has barely taken his seat in the Oval Office but he has already inspired a musical in his honour.
Obama on my Mind is the world’s first theatrical tribute to the 44th President of the United States and – if more proof of Mr Obama’s global appeal was needed – it will make its premiere in Islington.
The 11-man presidential song and dance, which is set in a campaign office in small town America, hits Highbury’s Hen and Chickens Theatre in March.
The political romp about warring fundraisers features pop, gospel, jazz and soft rock songs with titles like Perfect Organiser and She’s A Mole.
Mr Obama was only sworn in on Tuesday but for American-born Teddy Hayes, who wrote the book, music and lyrics for the show, it has been a long time coming.
“The process of electing a President is very different from Britain. It’s a long 15-month campaign with a lot of back-biting and conflict as the campaign impacts on personal lives and vice versa,” he said.
“I was an early believer in Obama. He’s smart and he has a vision, and that’s something America is in need of.”
Mr Hayes, 57, came to England 13 years ago looking to escape the “stifling attitudes” of American life. He is best known for his Devil Barnett series of crime novels.
He began writing the musical last August while he was canvassing votes for Obama among Americans living in Britain.
He added: “Some comics say the problem with Obama is that you can’t find material on him, but the material is not necessarily him, it’s the people around him.
“This shows the madness of the political system and how people get very excited and overwrought in the build up to elections.”
Singer Ruby Turner has recorded the title track for the show and Tim McArthur, star of last year’s Blair on Broadway, will direct.
• Obama on my Mind is at the Hen and Chickens Theatre, St Paul’s Road, from March 3-21.

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