Epic new musical about a simple clockmaker who lost almost everything in his quest to save others.
From writer and producer Kaz Moloney comes an epic new musical about John Harrison, the genius who solved the problem of longitude and transformed seafaring forever. Upstairs at the Gatehouse will hold the world premiere of Longitude, from Thursday 13th June – Sunday 7th July 2024.
Longitude tells the unbelievable tale of Harrison’s endeavours to solve the problem of estimating longitude, and saving lives that were being lost at sea across the world. A humble carpenter, Harrison invented a revolutionary clock, the marine chronometer, which could calculate longitude at sea – opening up trade routes and enabling safe passage across treacherous waters.
Over four decades, Harrison faced enormous odds and had to overcome immense challenges. He submitted the chronometer for the Longitude Prize, worth £20,000, but the committee refused to reward him as his invention was so remarkable they didn’t believe it. From spurious sea voyages to test his inventions, people stealing his prototypes and changing rules, Harrison fought hard for his invention to be supported, but his inability to argue his case worked against him.
Longitude features original book by Robert Trippini and new book by Kaz Moloney, with lyrics by Kaz Moloney, and music by Kaz Moloney, William Godfree and David Moloney. A portion of the profits from Longitude will be donated to the RNLI.
So come with us on an epic voyage with crashing waves, swelling music and an emotional storm across the 18th century that will make you wish you’d brought your life jacket!
Longitude: Thursday 13th June – Sunday 7th July 2024
Upstairs at the Gatehouse, 1 North Road, Highgate Village, London, N6 4BD
Tickets: Upstairs at the Gatehouse – Award Winning London Theatre