Longitude: A Clockmaker’s Obsession at the Upstairs at The Gatehouse

The musical will run from 13 June to 7 July 2024

The world premiere of Longitude: A Colcmaker’s Obsession will be held at the Upstairs at the Gatehouse on 13 June. The musical is about John Harrison, a clockmaker, who invented the marine chronometer, solving the problem of calculating longitude, which increased the safety of long-distance sea travel.

But he faced challenges and emotional storms on his way to being supported and accepted.

The musical will be an epic voyage across time and space to share the trials of a simple clockmaker who lost almost everything in his quest to save others. 

It is a true story of betrayal, obsession, and injustice, conquered only by the love of his family and the intervention of Mad King George. 

Writer and producer of Longitude, Kaz Moloney said: “My close collaborator on this project is my brother. Our father was a pilot, navigator and sailor, so conversations at family dinners frequently featured going somewhere adventurous and coming home safely. I guess that’s where my fascination with John Harrison began. Most of us know the feeling of being excluded, rejected, or misunderstood. When John Harrison went to London to persuade the Board of Longitude that he had an answer to their problem, they laughed at him. But this man was so driven, so dogged and so diligent that he proved them wrong. He will inspire and uplift you. Put your life jackets on, you are about to enter a storm, and have tissues at the ready. This is a story of obsession, danger, injustice and love.”

Original book by Robert Trippini, a new book by Kaz Moloney, lyrics by Kaz Moloney, music by Kaz Moloney, William Godfree and David Molonay.

Watch the trailer here: