Boy George has withdrawn from his role as King Herod in the West End production of "Jesus Christ Superstar," just days before his scheduled performances were set to begin. His management confirmed the decision on Thursday, citing controversy surrounding his newly released pro-Israel song, "We Will Dance Again."
The singer was slated to play the role, which is being rotated among actors, from August 3 to 15 at the London Palladium. His manager, Paul Kemsley, announced the withdrawal on Instagram, stating that the decision was made after careful consideration and with respect for the production's team.
"The decision has been made with the utmost respect for the producers, the creative team and the entire company," Kemsley wrote. "We are grateful for the professionalism and understanding they have shown throughout and sincerely wish everyone involved every success with the production."
Kemsley also extended apologies to fans who purchased tickets specifically to see Boy George perform, acknowledging the potential disappointment. "George has never been afraid to stand by his personal convictions, and I have always respected him for that," he added. "In this instance, I felt it was right to step aside, allowing the production to remain the focus, while ensuring everyone involved can move forward with mutual respect and goodwill."
The song "We Will Dance Again" has drawn criticism. Its lyrics include lines such as, "You say genocide, I say war / When you’re attacked, that’s what the army’s for / Does it get ugly? You bet it does / When I know you wanna kill every last one of us." The song also references the Hamas attack on October 7, with lyrics mentioning "Young girls raped against trees / Murdered brutally / For the crime of dancing." The chorus states, "There will be no war / But if you’re ever confused / I stand with the Jews / I don’t feel brave, I just need to behave like a human."
The phrase "We Will Dance Again" has been adopted by Israelis as an expression of hope following the October 7 attacks.
This is not the first time Boy George has addressed controversy related to Israel. In April, he responded to anti-Israel campaigners who criticized him for participating in Eurovision. He stated that he has many Jewish friends and cannot turn his back on them, emphasizing that "the job of music is to unite people."
The Andrew Lloyd Webber production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" at the London Palladium features Sam Ryder as Jesus, Tyrone Huntley as Judas, and Desmonda Cathabel as Mary Magdalene. The role of King Herod is shared by several actors, including Richard Armitage, Layton Williams, Julian Clary, Simon Russell Beale, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson.
Due to popular demand, the production is scheduled to transfer to London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane for a 12-week run in October, with Sam Ryder continuing in the role. A nationwide tour is also planned for next year.