Elton John, The Sun and the libel case that shocked Britain – one night in Doncaster

The world’s biggest pop star meets the world’s toughest tabloid in a thrilling, high-stakes clash coming to Cast in Doncaster for one exclusive night. Monstering the Rocketman, the multi-award-winning hit solo show by acclaimed writer and performer Henry Naylor, takes audiences back to 1987 for the explosive true story of Britain’s biggest-ever libel case.

Following a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe, where it picked up the prestigious Scotsman Fringe First award and 21 four- and five-star reviews, this riveting performance brings to life the shocking, hilarious, and cautionary tale of what happened when Elton John fought back against The Sun newspaper.

“We are hugely excited to bring Henry Naylor’s sensational, award-winning show to Cast,” says James Blakey, Director at Cast. “It is a gripping piece of theatre that is not only wildly entertaining, but deeply relevant to the conversations we are all having today about fake news. This is a real treat for our audience.”

1987. The tabloids are at their most powerful. The Sun newspaper has as many as 12 million readers… and they’ve just falsely accused Elton John of participating in sex orgies with teenage rent boys.

Everyone in the rockstar’s circle is telling him to ignore the story; insisting that the papers are too powerful and that the story will be ‘chip paper’ in the morning. But famously, Elton replies: ‘They can call me a fat old talentless poof, but they mustn’t tell lies about me.’

He issues 17 writs against the paper and proves he was 4,000 miles away when the orgy took place.  

But The Sun won’t back down. They relentlessly harass the star for months, in a campaign which drives the star to the brink of suicide. 

In the end, does the Sun go down on Elton? Or does he remain ‘still standing’? 

Based on an extraordinary, shocking and often hilarious true story featuring punch-ups, gangsters, bugged phone calls, a £10million divorce suit, Princess Diana, the Vice Squad and a pair of Devil Dogs, Monstering the Rocketman exposes the tabloid tussle that changed Britain forever. Naylor, a former lead writer for Spitting Image with 56 international awards and nominations to his name, delivers a solo tour de force that tackles media sensationalism with razor-sharp wit and urgency.

Don’t miss your chance to see one of Britain’s most celebrated contemporary playwrights live on stage in Doncaster.

Monstering The Rocketman plays at Cast, Doncaster Saturday 7 November 2026. Tickets are available here.