A stage production celebrating the legacy of a punk rock pioneer is set to arrive in Windsor.
Wilko: Love and Death and Rock ‘N’ Roll will run at the Theatre Royal Windsor from October 6 to 10, honouring the life of Wilko Johnson, guitarist and co-founder of Dr Feelgood.
Written by Jonathan Maitland, the play combines live music and storytelling to explore Johnson’s influence on rock and punk, his battle with cancer, and his late-career appearance in Game of Thrones.
Jonathan Maitland said: "Wilko’s is one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll stories ever told and his songs are some of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll ever recorded.
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"Even so, when I first read the play to him at his home in Southend five years ago, none of us could have imagined how much his story would go on to connect with audiences.
"My only regret is that he’s not around to see this tour happen but I know, for sure, that he would have been absolutely thrilled."
The play follows Johnson’s remarkable journey, from the formation of Dr Feelgood in 1971 to his diagnosis with terminal cancer in 2012.
Believing he had only a year to live, he embarked on a farewell tour - only to later discover he had more time than expected.
The production features Johnson Willis in the lead role, with further casting to be announced.
Wilko: Love and Death and Rock ‘N’ Roll first premiered at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch in 2024 before transferring to Southwark Playhouse in 2025.
This autumn marks the beginning of its first tour.
The 2026 tour coincides with the 50th anniversary of Dr Feelgood’s chart-topping live album Stupidity, which reached number one in October 1976 and was later named one of NME’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
Dr Feelgood’s raw, high-energy sound earned the band a reputation as the 'godfathers of punk,' influencing artists such as Paul Weller, the Ramones, and Bob Geldof.
The play will be staged at Theatre Royal Windsor, 32 Thames Street, with evening performances at 7.30pm and matinees on Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm.
Tickets are priced between £24.50 and £39.50 and can be booked through the box office on 01753 853888 or online at Wilko: Love And Death 'N' Rock And Roll – Theatre Royal Windsor.
The production team includes director Dugald Bruce-Lockhart and designer Nicolai Hart-Hansen.
Theatre Royal Windsor has a history stretching back over 200 years.
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