I Can't Sing!

In December 2012, Harry Hill announced that he was working on a musical based on the talent show The X Factor.{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2012/dec/10/x-factor-the-musical-harry-hill | title=X Factor the Musical? Harry Hill plans spoof show for the West End | publisher=The Guardian | work=guardian.co.uk | date=10 December 2012 | access-date=27 June 2013}} The show was confirmed in 2013, and it was announced that the musical would open in London in 2014, and would be called It's Time to Face the Musical!{{cite web | url=https://www.playbill.com/article/x-factor-its-time-to-face-the-musical-heading-to-west-end-in-spring-2014-com-203439 | title=X Factor — It's Time to Face the Musical! Heading to West End in Spring 2014 | publisher=Playbill | work=playbill.com | date=15 March 2013 | access-date=25 September 2022}}

On 22 May, it was announced the show would now be called I Can't Sing!,{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22626588 | title=Harry Hill names X Factor musical | publisher=BBC News | work=bbc.co.uk | date=22 May 2013 | access-date=27 June 2013}} and that it would play the London Palladium,{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2013/may/23/x-factor-musical-i-cant-sing | title=Spoof X Factor musical has a title: I Can't Sing! | publisher=The Guardian | work=guardian.co.uk | date=23 May 2013 | access-date=27 June 2013}} with tickets going on sale the following day.{{cite web | url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/west-end-theatre/news/05-2013/x-factor-musical-titled-i-cant-sing-opens-palladiu_30871.html | title=X Factor musical titled I Can't Sing!, opens Palladium March 2014 | publisher=Whats On Stage | work=whatsonstage.com | date=22 May 2013 | access-date=27 June 2013}} The show was written by Harry Hill{{cite web | url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/various-artists-2826-1257174 | title=X Factor musical 'I Can't Sing!' set to hit West End theatre next year | publisher=NME | work=nme.com | date=23 May 2013 | access-date=25 September 2022}} and is directed by Sean Foley,{{cite web | url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-05-22/simon-cowells-x-factor-musical-to-be-called-i-cant-sing | title=Simon Cowell's X Factor musical to be called I Can't Sing! | publisher=Radio Times | work=radiotimes.com | date=22 May 2013 | access-date=27 June 2013}} with choreography by Kate Prince,{{cite web | url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/production/2013/05/x-factor-musical-i-cant-sing-to-open-at-the-palladium-next-year/ | title=X Factor musical I Can't Sing to open at the Palladium next year | publisher=The Stage | work=thestage.co.uk | date=22 May 2013 | access-date=27 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109020330/http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/production/2013/05/x-factor-musical-i-cant-sing-to-open-at-the-palladium-next-year/ |archive-date=9 January 2014}} set design by Es Devlin,{{cite web | url=https://www.playbill.com/article/i-cant-sing-the-x-factor-musical-will-open-at-london-palladium-in-march-2014-com-205711 | title=I Can't Sing - The X Factor Musical Will Open at London Palladium in March 2014 | publisher=Playbill | work=playbill.com | date=22 May 2013 | access-date=25 September 2022}} costume design by Leah Archer,{{cite web | url=http://www.icantsingthemusical.com/creative/#site-top | title=I Can't Sing! Creative Team | publisher=I Can't Sing! | work=icantsingthemusical.com | access-date=27 June 2013}} illusions by Scott Penrose,{{cite journal |journal=London Palladium Theatre Programme |title=I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical |date=March 2014 |pages=28–31}} lighting design by Jon Clark, orchestrations by Chris Egan, sound design by Gareth Owen and sound effects by Ben and Max Ringham. An original score of 19 songs was penned, by Hill with music by Steve Brown.{{cite web | url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/the-jokes-on-simon-cowell-as-x-factor-musical-is-called-i-cant-sing-8627012.html | title=The joke's on Simon Cowell as X Factor musical is called 'I Can't Sing' | publisher=Evening Standard | work=standard.co.uk | date=22 May 2013 | access-date=27 June 2013}}

At the press launch for the show on 2 September 2013,{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2013/sep/02/harry-hill-x-factor-musical-simon-cowell | title=Harry Hill's X Factor musical has it in for Simon Cowell | work=The Guardian | date=2 September 2013 | access-date=4 September 2013}}{{cite web | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/x-factor/10283205/The-X-Factor-Musical-First-look.html | title=The X Factor Musical: First look | publisher=The Telegraph | work=telegraph.co.uk | date=2 September 2013 | access-date=4 September 2013}} Simon Cowell said of the concept of an X Factor Musical: “I thought the idea of an X Factor musical, if it was too pompous, would be rubbish, and I did not want it to appear like a cash cow. I wanted it to be a celebration of the show but at the same time poke fun at what we do, because you can’t take it too seriously. Harry of all the people was the right person. His observation of the show in the past has been spot on.”{{cite web | url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/production/2013/09/simon-cowell-x-factor-musical-just-cash-cow/ | title=Simon Cowell X Factor musical is not just a "cash cow" | publisher=The Stage | work=thestage.co.uk | date=2 September 2013 | access-date=2 September 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013013055/http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/production/2013/09/simon-cowell-x-factor-musical-just-cash-cow/ | archive-date=13 October 2014}} People parodied in the show include Simon Cowell,{{cite web | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/news/x-factor-musical-i-cant-sings-future-in-doubt-as-opening-night-postponed-again-9162649.html | title='X Factor musical' I Can't Sing!'s future in doubt as opening night postponed again | publisher=The Independent | work=independent.co.uk | date=1 March 2014 | access-date=15 March 2014}} Cheryl Cole,{{cite web | url=http://www.dailystar.co.uk/showbiz/366805/Simon-Cowell-thinks-Cheryl-Cole-will-kill-him-once-she-sees-the-X-Factor-musical | title=NEW DAD Simon Cowell claims Cheryl Cole is 'going to kill' him when she sees his new X Factor musical. | publisher=Daily Star | work=dailystar.co.uk | date=23 February 2014 | access-date=15 March 2014}}{{deps|certain=y|date=March 2023}} Louis Walsh,{{cite web | url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/cant-sing-simon-cowell-braces-3215168 | title=Simon Cowell braces himself for Cheryl Cole backlash following Harry Hill X Factor musical I Can't Sing | publisher=Daily Mirror | work=mirror.co.uk | date=6 March 2014 | access-date=15 March 2014}} and Dermot O'Leary.{{cite web | url=http://www.list.co.uk/article/56996-simon-cowell-mocks-demot-oleary-in-musical/ | title=Simon Cowell mocks Demot O'Leary in musical | publisher=The List | work=list.co.uk | date=6 December 2013 | access-date=15 March 2014}}

On 30 August 2013, it was announced that Nigel Harman would play the role of Simon Cowell,{{cite web | url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/nigel-harman-cast-simon-cowell-2238968 | title=Nigel Harman cast as Simon Cowell in new X Factor musical by Harry Hill | publisher=Daily Mirror | work=mirror.co.uk | date=30 August 2013 | access-date=30 August 2013}} with Alan Morrissey playing the role of Max and Cynthia Erivo playing Chenice the main contestant in the story.{{cite web | url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/08-2013/nigel-harman-and-cynthia-erivo-star-in-x-factor-mu_31794.html | title=Nigel Harman and Cynthia Erivo star in X Factor musical I Can't Sing! | publisher=Whats on Stage | work=whatsonstage.com | date=30 August 2013 | access-date=30 August 2013}} The production's first public performance came at the Royal Variety Performance in November 2013, performing a medley of "Please Simon" and "I Can't Sing!", the show's title song.{{cite web | url=http://www.westendframe.com/2013/12/full-casting-announced-for-x-factor.html | title=Full casting announced for X Factor musical 'I Can't Sing' | publisher=West End Frame | work=westendframe.com | date=6 December 2013 | access-date=2 January 2014 | url-status=usurped | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214004505/http://www.westendframe.com/2013/12/full-casting-announced-for-x-factor.html | archive-date=14 December 2013}}

Nigel Harman performed "Fabulous" live at the National Television Awards in January 2014.

I Can't Sing! began rehearsals on 6 January,{{cite web | url=https://twitter.com/icantsingUK/status/420175824851976192 | title=Rehearsals Start Today | publisher=I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical | work=twitter.com | date=6 January 2014 | access-date=6 January 2014}} with previews commencing on 5 March 2014,{{cite web | url=https://www.playbill.com/article/west-ends-x-factor-musical-i-cant-sing-postpones-start-of-previews-will-now-begin-performances-march-1-com-215226 | title=West End's "X Factor" Musical I Can't Sing! Postpones Start of Previews; Will Now Begin Performances March 1 | publisher=Playbill | work=playbill.com | date=24 February 2014 | access-date=25 September 2022}} at the London Palladium, London, before holding its official opening gala night on 26 March.{{cite web | url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/showbiz/401806/I-Can-t-Sing-Harry-Hill-reveals-name-of-his-X-Factor-musical | title='I Can't Sing': Harry Hill reveals name of his X Factor musical | publisher=Daily Express | work=express.co.uk | date=22 May 2013 | access-date=25 June 2013}} The production had been scheduled to begin previews on 27 February,{{cite web | url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/production/2014/02/x-factor-musical-cant-sing-cancels-first-two-previews/ | title=X Factor musical I Can't Sing! cancels first two previews | publisher=The Stage | work=thestage.co.uk | date=24 February 2014 | access-date=24 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304072612/http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/production/2014/02/x-factor-musical-cant-sing-cancels-first-two-previews/ |archive-date=4 March 2014}} however the opening two previews were cancelled due to technical issues with the show's set.{{cite web | url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/simon-cowell-x-factor-musical-3179218 | title=Simon Cowell's X Factor musical I Can't Sing preview shows cancelled but why? | publisher=Daily Mirror | work=mirror.co.uk | date=24 February 2014 | access-date=24 February 2014}} Following the initial cancellations, the production had to cancel a further preview performance, due to a key mechanism within the set not functioning correctly.{{cite web | url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/X-FACTOR-Musical-I-CANT-SING-Postpones-Tomorrows-First-Performance-Previews-Will-Now-Begin-Next-Week-20140228#.UxEm4v0_v8s | title=Postpones Tomorrow's First Performance; Previews Will Now Begin Next Week | publisher=Broadway World | work=broadwayworld.com | date=28 February 2014 | access-date=1 March 2014}}{{cite web | url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/02-2014/i-cant-sing-postpones-previews-for-second-time_33704.html?cid=homepage_news | title=I Can't Sing! postpones previews for second time | publisher=Whats On Stage | work=whatsonstage.com | date=28 February 2014 | access-date=1 March 2014}} Problems continued into previews,{{cite web | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/news/its-a-no-from-me-the-x-factor-musical-flops-at-big-audition-9174630.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307005322/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/news/its-a-no-from-me-the-x-factor-musical-flops-at-big-audition-9174630.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=March 7, 2014 | title=It's a no from me: The X Factor musical flops at big audition | publisher=The Independent | work=independent.co.uk | date=6 March 2014 | access-date=7 March 2014}} with early performances intervals lasting 50 mins, due to set changeovers between acts taking longer than expected{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26479737 | title=I Can't Sing! producers admit 'still work to do' | publisher=BBC News | work=bbc.co.uk/news | date=7 March 2014 | access-date=7 March 2014}} and one preview getting cancelled at the interval due to electrical problems.{{cite web | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/news/simon-cowells-x-factor-musical-i-cant-sing-cancelled-midperformance-after-electrical-fault-9199868.html | title=Simon Cowell's X Factor musical I Can't Sing cancelled mid-performance after electrical fault | publisher=The Independent | work=independent.co.uk | date=18 March 2014 | access-date=18 March 2014}} A typical London performance ran two hours and 30 minutes, including one interval of 20 mins.{{cite journal |journal=London Palladium Theatre Programme |title=I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical |date=March 2014 |page=27}}

The production closed on the 10 May,{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-27177570 | title=X Factor musical I Can't Sing! to close early | publisher=BBC News | work=bbc.co.uk/news | date=27 April 2014 | access-date=27 April 2014}} just six weeks and three days after its official opening night.{{cite web | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/news/spoof-musical-i-cant-sing-to-close-after-less-than-two-months-9292978.html | title=X Factor musical I Can't Sing! to close after less than two months | publisher=The Independent | work=independent.co.uk | date=27 April 2014 | access-date=27 April 2014}} Speaking about the closure, Cowell said “We took a punt and it didn't work out. If I could do things different, I would have gone to local theatres and built up a following. We went in too big a theatre - it's the biggest theatre in the West End."{{cite web | url=http://www.list.co.uk/article/60761-simon-cowell-i-cant-sing-didnt-work-out/ | title=I Can't Sing didn't work out | publisher=The List | work=list.co.uk | date=9 May 2014 | access-date=10 May 2014}}

In September 2013, four tracks were released on SoundCloud{{cite web | url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/LISTEN-Four-NEW-Tracks-From-I-CANT-SING-THE-X-FACTOR-MUSICAL-20130913 | title=Four NEW Tracks From I CAN'T SING! - THE X FACTOR MUSICAL | publisher=Broadway World | work=broadwayworld.com | date=13 September 2013| access-date=2 January 2014}} and through the shows official website.{{cite web | url=http://www.icantsingthemusical.com/media/ | title=Music | publisher=I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical | work=icantsingthemusical.com | access-date=2 January 2014}}{{cite web | url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/s103/the-x-factor/news/a512408/x-factor-the-musical-a-sneak-peek-at-its-funniest-lyrics.html | title=A sneak peek at its funniest lyrics | publisher=Digital Spy | work=digitalspy.co.uk | date=4 September 2013 | access-date=2 January 2014}} The songs were "I Can't Sing", "If That's Not Entertainment", "Please Simon" and "I Wanna Be Like Bono", although the latter did not make it into the final show. The musical uses a nine-member orchestra consisting of keyboard, guitar, bass, drums, percussion, trumpets and reeds.

On 1 April 2020 a YouTube user uploaded all the songs from the show onto the site. The released songs were recorded live during one of the performances through a soundboard. Harry Hill acknowledged the leak on his Instagram page, saying he was "very pleased" to hear the songs, while jokingly calling the uploader "naughty" and referring to the musical as a "megaflop".{{cite web |last1=Hill |first1=Harry |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/B-cLRr5p7US/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/B-cLRr5p7US |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited|website=Instagram |access-date=1 April 2020 |title=Harry Hill on Instagram: "I've no idea who put 'em up but very pleased to hear all the songs from me n Steve Brown's MegaFlop X Factor musical I CAN'T SING on YouTube! Naughty! #icantsing #xfactormusical #megaflop #allkindsofeverything"}}{{cbignore}}

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; Act I

• "Overture" - Ensemble
• "If That's Not Entertainment" - Young Simon, Ensemble
• "It Could Be Me" - Max, Brenda, Vladimir, Alterboyz, Ensemble
• "Life Is Lovely" - Chenice, Grandpa, Ensemble
• "Please Simon" - Brenda, Vladimir, Alterboyz, Soul Star, Ensemble
• "All Woman" - Brenda, Liam, Ensemble
• "I Can't Sing!" - Chenice, Max, Barlow
• "Better than That" - Hunchback
• "The Hugging Song" - Liam
• "Missing You Already" - Chenice, Max
• "X Factor Fever" - Chenice, Max, Liam, Brenda, Ensemble

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; Act II

• "Here Come the Judges" - Brunhilde, Liam, Gerrard Smalls, Simon, Jordy, Louis, Ensemble
• "Uncomplicated Love" - Simon, Gerrard Smalls, Max, Ensemble
• "Uncomplicated Love (reprise)" - Barlow
• "Falling in Love with Myself" - Jordy, Chenice, Ensemble
• "Make a Wish... It Happens" - Alterboyz, Ensemble
• "Fabulous" - Simon, Ensemble
• "A Song I Wrote for You" - Max
• "I Can't Sing! (reprise)" - Brenda, Ensemble
• "X-Tasy" - Chenice, Ensemble
• "Journey to a Dream" - Hunchback, Ensemble
• "You Can Sing!" - All

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{{The X Factor (UK)}}

Category:2014 musicals

Category:Musicals based on television series

Category:West End musicals

Category:The X Factor (British TV series)

Category:British musicals