Obama-mania sweeps through UK with the musical 'Obama on My Mind'

Photo credit: Derek Drescher

"We put the 'camp' back in campaign!" exclaims Tim McArthur, director at the worldwide premiere of the musical Obama on My Mind. Indeed the whole theme and process of bringing this unusual show to life has been one of hilarity, and well, joy.

The brainchild of Teddy Hayes, published author, director and television writer, who has also written the book, music and lyrics for the show, Obama is an ode to joy that now really has something to celebrate.

Hayes first became entranced with President Obama after Super Tuesday. "I decided that Obama was by far the best candidate for the presidency and even though he was a long shot for becoming the nominee, let alone president, I was going to support him." He made a music video for Youtube called "I'm Voting For Obama" and met the campaign team working in London who wanted to participate in the music video. The characters in Obama are based on the people he met during this process.

With fingers crossed on the outcome, Hayes began writing Obama in July 2008, followed by a workshop in September - two months before they would even know if he was elected.

Tim McArthur wasn't worried for a moment, "Most people knew he would win". Of course this is coming from a Brit, who didn't see first hand America's southern bible-belt and centre section of the country diehard for Sen. John McCain.

Hayes, who's originally from Ohio, was a little more trepidatious. "Well, we hoped he would win. I was surprised when he took Ohio. And Virginia? Shit."

There are 11 actors in the show, only three are from the original September workshop. The other eight only got on board on February 16. With the show opening March 3 that means they only had 16 days of rehearsal when the show opened for previews.

Most straight shows operate on a four-week rehearsal schedule. With musicals taking longer due to choreography, their schedules can stretch to six weeks before previews. The director and actors involved in Obama had one-third the time.

Despite that, Hayes remained confident. "My actors are really good. My director is experienced. It's a tight schedule, but it also makes people focus!

One might wonder why the team wouldn't have preferred to take on a straight play. "Musical's are more fun! My sense of humour is best expressed in an irreverent way; the songs just reflect my humour. People have to see that a campaign can be very humourous.

"Plus, everything's been so tense. Everyone's [saying]'Obama is coming! OBAMA IS COMING!! OBAMA!!!' Ok. We've done that. Now let's do something nobody else is doing. Let's do something with a different point of view."

Photo credit: Derek Drescher

But why London? The answer is surprisingly non-political. "I've lived in England for 13 years, I'm a British citizen. I work where I am so I can pay attention to detail. If you want to get a project like this off the ground, you want to stay close to it; a lot of back and forth. Everyday you have to be in rehearsal."

Hayes traces his political roots back to his novel writing days, writing detective stories about an inner-city Harlem private eye called Devil Barnett. While disgust with American politics and where he saw the country heading played a part in his jumping ship to England in 1996, he admits it was also because he was tired of getting rejection letters for his books in New York City.

"I moved because I wanted a publisher." After getting in with the UK publishing house Express Publishing he has since switched. Now he is with Justin, Charles & Company based out of Boston.

So, he moved to the UK to get an American publisher? "Ah, ha, um... yeah!" The humour is not lost on him, indeed not much humour is. Hayes is a man who can laugh with and at himself with equal jocularity.

Even though Obama on My Mind is scheduled for only a three-week run, they have been offered an extension in a larger theatre. Given the cross-continental hype surrounding the show I think it is a safe assumption they'll need the extension.

Hayes is more modest, "We're still raising money to get to the next stage, if you know anyone who wants to invest...", Hayes implores.

Extension or no, all eleven actors will meanwhile be performing their tight choreography in the 54-seat Hen & Chickens Theatre Bar on Highbury corner.

McArthur has had some difficulty navigating the venue. "We have a minimal set because some of the dance routines take up the whole stage. Trying to get eleven actors moving around on that stage is a choreography nightmare, but it works."

Hayes has enjoyed the challenge, "The actors don't have to be mic'd; it's an intimate space and they can do some things that they couldn't do in a bigger space."

Obama on My Mind will be showing until 21st March. Admission is £12, £10 concession - and yes, you can bring your drinks upstairs.

"Come see Obama! Forget the credit crunch and be relieved!" McArthur says with glee. Hayes joins in, "Yeah, you can get sloshed upstairs an throw up on the guy next to you!"

Why not? This is the 'era of hope'. These guys make everything sound like fun.