Fringe First Award Winner 2025

When the soaraway Sun newspaper falsely accuses Elton John, 39, of bonking rent boys, the Rocketman
blasts off a whopping multi-million lawsuit. But fuming editor, Kelvin Mackenzie, 40, is unrepentant, and
unleashes his attack dogs. A 23-month campaign of media harassment ensues, which threatens to destroy
the Rocker… In the end: will Elton still be standing? Or will the Sun go down on him?

One of the biggest hits of the last Edinburgh Festival, this sell-out show received 16 five- and four-star reviews and won the prestigious Scotsman Fringe First. Henry Naylor is delighted to announce the highly anticipated London premiere of his latest one-man show Monstering the Rocketman at The Arcola Theatre. Inspired by a true story, he tackles Britain’s biggest-ever libel case – Elton John vs. The Sun.

Based on the extraordinary true story, Monstering the Rocketman features Ferraris, punch-ups, gangsters, bugged phone calls, a £10million divorce suit, Princess Diana, Michael Parkinson, the Vice Squad and a pair of Devil Dogs. With its focus on the Western media, the play heralds a thematic departure for Naylor.

Over the past decade, he has written seven plays tackling the West’s uncomfortable interactions with the Middle East. He has won 56 international theatre prizes and nominations, including four Scotsman Fringe Firsts, the Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award, Norway’s Heddaprisen, the Prague Creative and Inspiration Awards… and even the prestigious Globe De Crystals (France’s equivalent of the Golden Globes). Angel was named as one of The Times ten Best Plays of the Year.

For tickets and further information, please check out the Arcola Theatre website