Awards

• Winner of Edinburgh Fringe First Award 2025

Overview

'Where is the line between fact and fiction? Not our concern. Truth is just a commodity to be sold.' When The Sun falsely accuses Elton John, 39, of 'sordid rent-boy sex sessions', the Rocketman blasts it with a whopping multi-million-pound lawsuit… But for unrepentant editor Kelvin MacKenzie, 40, 'sorry' seems to be the hardest word. He launches a staggering year-long campaign of media harassment, which could break the rocker. In the end: is Elton still standing? Or does The Sun go down on him? Based on the true story of Britain's biggest-ever libel suit, Monstering the Rocketman is a probing and provocative exploration of truth, privacy and ambition. Henry Naylor's play premiered to critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2025, where it received a Fringe First Award, before transferring to Arcola Theatre, London, in 2026. 'A solo tour de force... casts a lacerating eye on scoop-chasing impetuosity... brilliant' — Telegraph 'Thoughtful, acerbic and tender... precisely the sort of important piece that proves why the Fringe needs to exist' — Broadway Baby Edinburgh Fringe First Award

Full Product Details

9781839045615

Table of Contents

Reviews

'A solo tour de force... casts a lacerating eye on scoop-chasing impetuosity... brilliant' * Telegraph * 'Thoughtful, acerbic and tender... precisely the sort of important piece that proves why the Fringe needs to exist' * Broadway Baby *

'A solo tour de force... casts a lacerating eye on scoop-chasing impetuosity... brilliant' * Telegraph * 'Excellent... an astonishing backstory to the continuing saga of celebrity versus press... Naylor is a natural raconteur' * Everything Theatre * 'An ambitiously complex plot that shows every tawdry facet of showbiz journalism... Naylor's agile character work drags us along for the ride, conjuring the sense of a chaotic, unscrupulous newsroom... poignant imagery and a subtle understanding of the ethical dilemmas individual journalists face... a mile-a-minute romp with a strong sense of time and place, and a useful reminder of an important chapter in UK media history' * Broadway World * 'Funny and relevant... bowls along, with lots of laughs to be found swimming in this sewer of amorality' * Arts Desk * 'Thoughtful, acerbic and tender... precisely the sort of important piece that proves why the Fringe needs to exist' * Broadway Baby * 'Precision and urgency... skilfully navigates the tension between ambition and truth, exposing the moral compromises demanded by an industry that often prioritises career progression over basic journalistic integrity... resonates powerfully' * A Young(ish) Perspective *

Author Information

Henry Naylor is a writer, performer, producer and director. He has written for many award-winning comedy shows including Smith & Jones, The Lenny Henry Show, Dead Ringers and Alistair McGowan's Big Impression. He was a lead writer on Spitting Image, and, together with his double-act partner Andy Parsons, he starred in nine series of Parsons & Naylor's Pull-Out Sections on BBC Radio 2. He also created, executive produced and directed the multi-award-winning Headcases for ITV1. As a playwright, his work includes: Monstering the Rocketman (Edinburgh Fringe, 2025; Arcola Theatre, London, 2026); Borders (Edinburgh Fringe, 2017); Angel (Edinburgh Festival, 2016); Echoes (Edinburgh Festival and Arcola Theatre, 2015); and The Collector (Edinburgh Festival and Arcola Theatre, 2014.

Tab Content 6

Countries Available