My comedy musical script, Eurovision: NOTBIG Decides! debuted at the Brighton Festival Fringe 2025 in a production by LGBTQ+ theatre company Out Cast, who created a riotous sell-out show. With this play, I wanted to create something that gives a nod to what’s going on in the world right now, but with a positive message imparted through laughter.
The president of a tiny nation, the Northern Overseas Territory of Biglandia Island Group (NOTBIG for short), is fed up with being patronised on the world stage. He wants his country to be great again – or great in the first place. What better way to grab the attention of millions than entering the Eurovision Song Contest?
But when the island’s entire population is conscripted into the official Musical Effort to create the perfect song, not everything goes according to plan…
The full production by Out Cast featured a mix of old favourites and new songs, including the eccentric NOTBIG national anthem, all expertly overseen by musical director Simon Gray. Simon has a distinguished career in opera and musical theatre, on national tours, in the West End, regional theatres and in major concert houses in the UK and worldwide.
Experienced musician and technical director Dave Mantle wrote the music for the original songs. He and film director Justin Spray also created short films that were projected as part of the production.
During the performances, the audience were treated as honorary citizens of NOTBIG. With voting made possible by QR codes, they had the chance to choose the act NOTBIG sent through to Eurovision. Audience response to the show was very positive, with feedback including:
“It was fantastic – the singing, the acting, the humour. Everyone should come and watch the show.”
“It was really apparent what the theme of the beautiful writing was, and it was incredibly moving. I cried at the end of the first half, and I stood up and danced at the end of the second….funny and fulfilling.”
You can see these audience reactions and more in the clips below:
