Be My Baby: The Musical to Receive World Premiere at Nottingham Playhouse

Amanda Whittington’s acclaimed play Be My Baby is being transformed into a new musical, with its world premiere at Nottingham Playhouse in summer 2027.

Directed by Nottingham Playhouse Artistic Director Adam Penford, Be My Baby: The Musical will run from 31 May to 26 June 2027, with a press night on 9 June.

Based on Whittington’s play, the musical follows four young women sent to a mother-and-baby home in the 1960s, where they are forced to give birth in secret before their babies are adopted. Against the backdrop of a rapidly changing decade, the women form unexpected friendships as they face a system that seeks to silence and isolate them.

The new musical features a selection of iconic songs from the era, including “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow”, “Alfie”, “The Locomotion” and “I Only Want to Be With You”. The songs, which helped define the cultural explosion of the 1960s, become an integral part of the storytelling.

Whittington has been developing the musical adaptation with Penford for several years, reimagining her original play while retaining its focus on the injustice of forced adoption. The playwright has described the world premiere at her home theatre as a “full circle” moment.

Be My Baby was originally produced in 1998 and has since become one of Whittington’s best-known plays. The musical adaptation brings its story to a new audience while placing the music and atmosphere of the 1960s at the heart of the production.

Further casting and creative team details for Be My Baby: The Musical are expected to be announced.