Paul Baker to Reprise Olivier-Winning Role in London Revival of Boy George's Taboo

Paul Baker, who won a 2003 Olivier Award for playing club promoter Philip Sallon in the West End premiere of Taboo, will reprise the role when the Boy George musical returns to the London stage this fall. The production will begin previews at the Brixton Club House on September 6 and open on September 12, helmed by original director and co-creator Christopher Renshaw.

Taboo follows aspiring photographer Billy as he hits the over-the-top London clubs of the 1980s and encounters some of the scene’s greatest stars, like Steve Strange, Leigh Bowery, Sallon and of course, Boy George. While Taboo includes pieces of Boy George’s biggest hits with his band Culture Club, George also penned an original score for the show, which features a book by Mark Davies and Charles Busch, and additional music by Kevan Frost.

Taboo premiered on January 29, 2002, at The Venue in London, where it ran for 15 months. A Broadway production opened on November 13, 2003, starring Raul Esparza, Jeffrey Carlson, and Boy George (as George O’Dowd), reprising his London role.