"Please don't speak badly of what happened in our little yellow house..."

Arles, Southern France, 1888.

Van Gogh's house-share with Paul Gauguin starts as a dream of artistic brotherhood but ends in a nightmare: after only 8 weeks together there's a blazing row, Paul flees town and Vincent cuts off his own ear.

​​Why?

This electrifying 2-man rock musical confronts a mystery that has baffled the art world for over a century.

The story so far

Starting out as a concept album featuring Charlie McCullagh and Max Alexander-Taylor, the show was soon nominated for the Stiles+Drewe Best New Song Prize and then reached the top 5 shortlist for the Music Theatre International Award.

In 2023, a 40-minute edit was chosen for The Other Palace’s Musical Bites season.

And now in 2025 we’re presenting the fullest version yet: a 2-week run of a 60-minute cut at revamped Waterloo venue The Glitch.

How you can help

The writer of the show, Neil Bastian, spent 2 years trying to get producers and venues involved, to no avail.

So it was a massive confidence boost when the renowned VAULT Creative Arts team got in touch to offer us their Glitch venue for two weeks.

Now all we need is your help to bring the show to life. Even the smallest amount will soon add up to help all cast and crew get paid in line with current Equity / BECTU agreements. 

And if you know of any rich, art-loving philanthropists who are eager to help bring a new musical to its feet and possibly forge a future co-producing relationship, please send them the Greenlit link!

Thank you for your interest in our show - and if you can't donate, please consider buying a ticket.

Team Vinnie & Paul

Neil Bastian: book, music and lyrics

I’m an award-nominated musical theatre writer whose songs have been performed all over the West End. I’m a member of BML and MMD. As well as the plaudits mentioned above, songs from Vinnie & Paul have been selected for two MMD Masterclasses, and What’s On Stage recommended the concept album alongside Lin Manuel Miranda’s latest show, and featured our new song in January 2025. Find out about my other shows on my website.

Kirstie Davis: director

I’m a theatre director working extensively in new writing, alongside contemporary classics and new adaptations. Recent work includes The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary at The Southwark Playhouse, The Bear Who Went to War at The Coventry Albany and Inspired by Holst at Cheltenham Playhouse. Find out more at my website.

Jonathan Harrison-Walsh: producer

I studied Politics and International Relations at the University of Winchester before starting an entirely unrelated career within theatre. Before which, I had a varied career within the Sales and Marketing sectors, including setting up multiple businesses.

The Rise and Fall of Vinnie & Paul marks my first professional theatre producer credit, having previously produced and directed a number of shows while studying at Andover College including Blue Remembered Hills (1803 Theatre) and Blame It On Beckett (1803 Theatre).

Other credits include for automation with Richard II (Bridge Theatre), Guys & Dolls (Bridge Theatre), Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (Aldwych Theatre), as well as working as an associate producer on a number of short films.

How your donation will help

Praise for 'Vinnie & Paul'

• 'The next big hit?' - What's On Stage
• 'Nothing short of a masterpiece' - Curtain Call Reviews
• 'There's a great palpable energy in this show...very strong and moving' - MTI Award panel
• 'Unique... devastating and, crucially for a musical, the songs are really good' - Stalls to Stage
• 'Neil Bastian is justly recognised by the gods of musical theatre for his alchemical hook-making' - Buchan & Barne, writers, Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York

More industry praise.

Concept album and videos

All the songs from the show so far have been recorded by the incredible Charlie McCullagh (42 Balloons, Jesus Christ Superstar) and Max Alexander-Taylor (Cable Street, The Lion).

Casting for The Glitch run is not yet announced. 

Check out the videos and listen to the concept album on Soundcloud: