Boy George musical Taboo has found a new director.

Olivier nominee Michael Longhurst (Next to Normal, Caroline, or Change) has joined the creative team for the new version of the musical, featuring a new book by Olivier nominee Jack Holden.

Longhurst recently joined George, Holden, associate director Alessandra Davison, and producer Thomas Hopkins for a two-week research and development session housed in the Young Vic. This session followed a successful reading of Holden's first draft in May.

Commissioned by Thomas Hopkins Productions, this is the latest turn in Taboo's multi-decade development period. Based on the original book by Mark Davies Markham, George and Holden's new book reimagines the musical, which played a brief Broadway run in 2003. 

The Broadway production of Taboo featured yet another book, by Charles Busch. The musical concerned the lives of two larger-than-life personalities involved in the '80s London club scene: the Kent-born singer George, who rose to fame and international acclaim via the pop group Culture Club; and performance artist Leigh Bowery, who became known for his outlandish costumes and make-up before an early death. Their stories were told against the background of the London club Taboo, which featured an array of self-proclaimed "freaks."

Further details on the new production will be announced in due course.