Award-Winning Musical JEEZUS! Returns to London for Electrifying New Run

An award-winning musical that electrified audiences at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe last year is heading to London this spring. JEEZUS!, the irreverent comedy musical that blends Latin pop spectacle with biting satire and queer storytelling, will premiere a new expanded production at the New Diorama Theatre from 21 April to 9 May 2026.

Created and performed by Sergio Antonio Maggiolo alongside collaborator Guido Garcia Lueches, the production arrives in London after winning the prestigious UNTAPPED Award in 2025 and earning multiple five-star reviews during its sold-out Fringe run. The show is produced by migrant-led company Alpaqa in partnership with the New Diorama Theatre, a venue known for championing innovative independent theatre.

Set in Peru during the 1990s, the musical unfolds against the backdrop of political upheaval following the rise of the authoritarian regime of Alberto Fujimori. Within the household of General José and his wife María, a young altar boy named Jesús prepares for his first communion. As the moment approaches, however, an unexpected emotional awakening begins to disrupt the rigid expectations placed upon him, blurring the lines between religious devotion, desire and identity.

Maggiolo performs the central role of Jesús while Garcia Lueches moves fluidly between a wide range of characters, shifting personas throughout the show’s surreal narrative. The result is a fast-paced theatrical experience that merges humour, political commentary and personal reflection through a distinctly queer lens.

Directed by Laura Killeen, the production combines storytelling with an eclectic musical score performed live on stage. Musical director Tom Cagnoni accompanies the performers with a vibrant blend of Latin pop, salsa and South American folk influences including cumbia, alongside contemporary rhythms inspired by artists such as Bad Bunny.

Maggiolo describes the work as deeply personal rather than purely provocative. Drawing on their own upbringing in South America, they see the show as an exploration of the complex relationship between faith, culture and identity. Religion, they explain, was not simply doctrine but a defining social and emotional force. For many queer people, however, that connection can come with difficult contradictions.

The musical embraces those tensions rather than avoiding them. At its core, JEEZUS! reflects on the stories people inherit, the expectations placed upon them and the ways individuals ultimately carve out their own sense of belonging.

The London production marks the most fully realised version of the show to date following its acclaimed festival debut. Known for supporting emerging companies and experimental work, the New Diorama Theatre has built a national reputation for nurturing innovative voices in theatre, making it a fitting home for a production that blends bold politics with playful theatricality.

Running approximately 70 minutes and recommended for audiences aged 16 and over, JEEZUS! promises a vibrant theatrical experience that mixes Latin rhythms, satire and surreal storytelling. Following its breakout success in Edinburgh, the musical now arrives in London ready to challenge expectations while celebrating identity, desire and the power of self-discovery.