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UK TOUR DATES FOR NEW SHOW WHICH SHINES

SPOTLIGHT ON ‘QUIET BEATLE’ GEORGE

Daniel Taylor takes acclaimed Something About George – The George Harrison Story on the road ahead of Edinburgh Fringe

A new music show highlighting the incredible talent of the late Beatle George Harrison is set to embark on tour dates across the UK after being premiered in Liverpool.

Something About George – The George Harrison Story, which pays tribute to the man dubbed the “quiet Beatle”, was met with acclaim by both audiences and critics when it closed the Liverpool Theatre Festival last September.

Now West End performer and musician Daniel Taylor is set to take the show on the road on a seven-date tour this summer ahead of a two-week residency at the Edinburgh Fringe.

It will be performed as a one-man, one-act festival version for one week at the Assembly Festival Gardens in Coventry, UK City of Culture and then at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where it will be at the Assembly Festival for two weeks.

And a new full two-hour show, with visuals, soundscape and set design will be performed at the other venues – with Danny Taylor joined by three other top musicians to create a fab four band.

The tour opens at The Haymarket Basingstoke on Thursday 9 June before moving on to The Beggar’s Theatre Millom (11 June), St Helens Theatre Royal (16 June), Epstein Theatre Liverpool (18-19 June), Coventry Assembly Festival Garden (21, 23 and 25 June), The Mill Arts Centre Banbury (30 June) and King’s Hall Ilkley (8 July). It will then perform at the atmospheric The Bijou in Edinburgh from 4-18 August.

And the 2022 dates will be followed by an even more extensive tour which is planned for 2023.

Featuring beautiful songs like My Sweet Lord, Something, and Handle With Care, Something About George showcases Harrison’s incredible solo material and music from rock ‘n’ roll’s greatest supergroup, The Traveling Wilburys which was made up of Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty. And any show celebrating one of the Fab Four just has to include a few classics from The Beatles. From heartbreak to hedonism and song writing to success, Something About George celebrates a life that was anything but quiet.

This remarkable tale comes from the creators of the critically acclaimed production Something About Simon – The Paul Simon Story, which was a smash hit when it was premiered at Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre in 2018. The show went on to triumph at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2019, where it was chosen for a residency at the Fringe Encore Series at the SoHo Playhouse in New York City, where it playedsix sell-out performances. The show was also part of the programme at the inaugural Liverpool Theatre Festival in 2020.

Something About George stars Liverpool-born West End performer and musician Daniel Taylor telling the story of George Harrison.

Daniel is an award-winning actor, producer, and director. He trained at Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London. He has also produced, directed, and performed as Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet (both for the Epstein Theatre, Liverpool).

He has previously played John Lennon in the award-winning Lennon Through A Glass Onion; Sammy in Blood Brothers; and appeared at the very first Liverpool Theatre Festival in his show, The Very Best Of Tommy Cooper.

Daniel Taylor said: “We had a fantastic response when we premiered Something About George in Liverpool last autumn, and now I’m thrilled to be able to share George Harrison’s incredible story with audiences in Edinburgh and right across the country.

“After all his achievements, George is still one of the most underrated songwriters that has ever lived, and this is a perfect chance to celebrate and shine a spotlight on his musical genius.”

Something About George iswritten by Jon Fellowes, who co-produces show alongside Liverpool-born singer songwriter Gary Edward Jones and theatre producer Bill Elms. Collectively, the trio are Something About Productions, the creative team behind the hugely successful Something About Simon – The Paul Simon Story.

Something About George is not a tribute show as we know it. It is one musician authentically honouring the music of another, utilising all the tools at his disposal.

Co-producer Gary Edward Jones added: “It’s now 20 years since George Harrison passed away – but his remarkable story and timeless music lives on.

“We feel privileged to be able to highlight the legacy he left behind. We’re excited to share this journey with audiences on this inaugural UK tour and are sure they will leave the show knowing more about George and his incredible life.”

Website:         www.somethingaboutproductions.com

Facebook:       /somethingaboutproductions

Instagram:      /somethingaboutproductions

Twitter:           @SomeAboutProds

SOMETHING ABOUT GEORGE LISTINGS

The Haymarket, Basingstoke

DATE: Thursday 9 June 2022

TIME: 7.30pm

PRICE: £25 (includes booking fee)

01256 844244

www.anvilarts.org.uk

The Beggar’s Theatre, Millom

DATE: Saturday 11 June 2022

TIME: 8pm

PRICE: £22

01229 775677

www.beggarstheatre.com

St Helens Theatre Royal

DATE: Thursday 16June 2022

TIME: 7.30pm

PRICE: £25/£23 concessions

01744 756000

www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com

Epstein Theatre, Liverpool

DATE: Saturday 18 June-Sunday 19 June 2022

TIME: 7.30pm

PRICE: Stalls £26/circle £24

0844 888 9991

www.epsteintheatre.co.uk

Assembly Festival Garden, Coventry

DATE: Tuesday 21, Thursday 23 and Saturday 25 June 2022

TIME: 7.30pm

PRICE: £13.50/£12.50 concessions (21,23 June) £15/£14 concessions (25 June)

0131 623 3033

www.assemblyfestivalgarden.com

The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury

DATE: Thursday 30June 2022

TIME: 7.30pm

PRICE: £20

01295 279002

www.themillartscentre.co.uk

King’s Hall, Ilkley

DATE: Friday 8 July 2022

TIME: 7.30pm

PRICE: £27 (includes booking fee)

01274 432000

www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/venues/kings-hall-ilkley

The Bijou, Assembly Festival, Edinburgh

DATE: Thursday 4-Thursday 18 August 2022

TIME: 2.30pm

PRICE: From £9.50

0131 623 3033

www.assemblyfestival.com

Tickets on sale on Thursday 5th May.

Sunderland Empire – until 23 April 2022

Reviewed by Andrew Bramfitt

4****

Enter the fantasy world of magic and make believe in this 4 star production.

Adapting a much loved animated film, let alone a Disney classic, is always going to be a challenge. You can do so much on screen which defies logic, physics or simple understanding; let’s be honest, that is what makes such movies appealing to everyone, yet the current tour of Bedknobs and Broomsticks manages to create all the mystery, magic and danger of the original 1971 Disney movie right before your eyes.

Right from the opening scene, which, without any words being spoken begins the story of 3 London children (Charlie, Carrie and Paul) who, having lost their home and their parents during the Blitz, are bundled up, put on a train and transported away. The scene changing as they move from the war torn capital through the hustle and bustle of panicked evacuation and out to the serene calmness of the countryside is stage craft at its very highest.

On reaching their designated ‘safe house’ the children soon realise their patron is more than just an eccentric lady; she is a trainee witch. Dianne Pilkington as Eglatine Price is wonderful in the Angela Lansbury role; kind yet direct, fantastical yet recognising the children need to remain grounded. In proving her abilities to doubting Charlie she turns him into a rabbit using the The Turn-a-Man-into-a-Rabbit Spell (Filigree apogee pedigree perigee), wonderfully effected using puppets and prosthetics. Cue the next step in her development and her first flight on her broomstick. This is simply magical; again, the staging and effects are better than any CGI as you can see it happening right before your eyes.

In a desire to use her magic to help end the war without further bloodshed, Ms Price realises the one final spell she needs is missing from her tome of magic and so back to London they must go to find the other part of the book, currently held by small time street illusionist Emelius Browne (Charles Brunton). Time for the Bedknob, bewitched by a Travelling spell (Hellebore henbane aconite glow-worm fire and firefly light) by Ms Price, and yet more wonderment as the bed begins to fly, it too defying gravity in the most magical of ways. Gone are obvious wires and strange pulleys, the flying scenes in this show will have you transfixed in trying to see how they do it.

From London, and with Mr Browne in tow, they venture to the land of No Pee Pol and seek an audience with the King, a majestic lion (another brilliant puppet akin to Lion King or War Horse). On the way Browne and Price take part in an underwater version of Strictly Musicals, great dancing but sadly for some in the audience, a little too long to keep their attention.

Emboldened with the necessary final spell – Substitutiary Locomotion (Treguna mekoides trecorum satis dee), they return back to the house and begin to enchant a new army of objects to take the place of people just as the invasion begins.

A wonderfully told story, though possibly a little too long for younger members of the audience; the original movie runs at 97 minute however this production returns it back to the original 2 hours 15mins.

Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford – until 23 April 2022

Reviewed by Antonia Hebbert

4****

Dapper in velvet jacket and pink socks, Barry Humphries takes us on a tour through his long and colourful life, beginning in the suburbs of Melbourne in the 1930s (yes, it has been a long life). Early in the show he confides that the stage feels like his safe place – it’s where he can be ‘alone at last’. And he can still work a crowd – there were moments when it felt as if he might have lost the thread of whatever anecdote he was telling, but he always caught us in the end with a laugh-aloud, sometimes shocking, punchline. Latecomers and people in the front row beware – he is still the master of the catty putdown.

With an ornate gilt-framed screen for photos and videos, an armchair, and a pianist providing occasional background music, Humphries talks about his childhood and his parents, who come across as baffled by their son, but supportive, sort-of. How could they have known that genteel mid-20th century Australia would be such a goldmine of comic material for their boy? We hear about Humphries’s early acting career, and taking Twelfth Night on a tour of small towns, where he and his fellow actors met a lot of lady mayoresses … who eventually evolved into Dame Edna Everage. Dame Edna also owes quite a lot to Humphries’s mum. It’s somehow deeply satisfying to learn that Mrs H described smart social events as ‘hats and glads’ – meaning gladioli.

In the second half we see several clips of Dame Edna, who seems to have effortlessly spanned different eras – one moment we see her with Michael Parkinson and a very young Elton John, the next she is with Charles and Camilla, and an aspiring, over-talkative MP called Boris Johnson. The one thing they have in common is that they are generally collapsing into helpless giggles under the full fire of Dame Edna’s comic genius. Clips of his Les Patterson character lead Humphries in a swift mood-change to talk about getting through alcoholism, which almost destroyed him. There are other moving moments too, such as when he talks warmly about Emily Perry, who played Dame Edna’s downtrodden companion Madge.

Barry Humphries arrived in England with just a few pence in his pocket. His life and career have been incredibly rich, with some dark material that is barely touched on here. This show must be a highly edited version, but it’s charming, clever, rude, riveting and funny. My favourite line was one about modern comedians, who – but no, you have to hear it from the man himself.

EMPIRE THEATRE, LIVERPOOL – UNTIL SATURDAY 30TH APRIL 2022

REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN

5*****

When it comes to the Golden Era musicals, Cole Porter’s Anything Goes is the ‘Crème de la crème’. It premiered in 1934 on Broadway, has been revived several times in the United States and Britain and has been filmed three times! This musical has long been a popular choice for schools and community productions. ‘Anything Goes’ docked at the Empire Theatre this week, as part of its nation wide tour, bringing with it a sense of nostalgia. This production has a mixture of timeless songs, toe tapping choreography, a wow-factor set and a larger the life assemblage of characters.

Set on a luxury transatlantic ocean liner bound from New York to London. Junior broker, Billy Crocker (Samuel Edwards) is a stowaway, in love with sweet debutante Hope Harcourt (Nicole-Lily Baisden), who is engaged to aristocratic Lord Evelyn Oakleigh (Haydn Oakley). Evangelist-turned-singer Reno Sweeney (Kerry Ellis) and Public Enemy Number 13 Moonface Martin (Denis Lawson), aid Billy in his quest to win Hope.

Leading lady Kerry Ellis stands out as Reno Sweeney, making the intense dance routines and singing, look effortless. Supporting Ellis, is Simon Callow, as Billy’s boomingly funny boss and Yale man, Elisha and Bonnie Langford as Hope’s self absorbed and status obsessed mother, Evangeline. Samuel Edwards, as Billy and Denis Lawson as Moonface, has the audience cackling, with their mistaken identities and bad disguises. The promiscuous Erma (Carly Mercedes Dyer), Moonface’s acquaintance, brings plenty of energy and cheeky chemistry to the stage and she performs one of my favourite songs of the evening, Buddie Beware.

Derek McLane’s set design and Jon Morrell’s costumes makes you feel like you have been transported to the 30’s with their vintage stage magic. The live orchestra adds to the glitzy bygone era atmosphere.

Anything Goes is a deliriously, defiantly and de-lovely Golden Age musical, All aboard!

Sheffield Lyceum Theatre – until Saturday 30th April 2022

Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

5*****

I was fortunate to be able to review at the wonderful, ornate, and historic Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield. This is my first visit, and maybe not my last. I was there to review the most talked about show that’s out there, the global sensation that is SIX The Musical. SIX’s reputation is obviously spreading as the theatre was packed. If you haven’t heard about it, it is a thoroughly modern retelling of the lives of King Henry VIII’s six wives. Written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, it is a musical comedy presented as a pop concert. First presented at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2017 it has gone on to conquer the West End and Broadway.

After an ensemble piece, “Ex Wives”, the wives of Henry VIII decide to have a competition between themselves to see who has endured more and suffered most at the hands of Henry. Each wife takes turns telling their story, through song and dance, to find out who is going to be the winner and become the group’s lead singer.

Catherine of Aragon (Chloe Hart) was loyal to Henry but couldn’t produce a male heir. After over 20 years of marriage, he wanted an annulment and to ship her off to a nunnery. Divorced! Anne Boleyn (Jennifer Caldwell) complains about Henry’s infidelity, but after trying to make him jealous, is executed for her supposed infidelity. Beheaded! Jane Seymour (Casey Al-Shaqsy) dies just after giving birth to Henry’s only legitimate male offspring. Died! Anne of Cleves (Grace Melville) is shipped over from Germany after Henry sees her portrait. When she arrived, he was not impressed, but still went through with the marriage. Very shortly afterwards it was annulled, and she had a very generous settlement. Divorced! Katherine Howard (Jaina Brock-Patel) is only very young when she catches the king’s eye. A short while after marrying she is accused of adultery. Beheaded! Catherine Parr (Alana Robinson) is the last of the wives. Survived!

This is a story that gives The Queens a voice, they certainly didn’t then. What starts out as acts of one-upmanship, soon turns into sense of cohesion, supporting each other and thinking what could have been.

All six queens were magnificent, each remarkable in their own way. Hart had a great, powerful voice, Caldwell was hilarious with her northern accent and comments about losing her head, Al-Shaqsy delivers an impassioned touching performance. Melville plays centre stage to the most bizarre and hilarious part of the show, Haus of Holbein. This was very techno, with florescent glasses and clothing, all delivered with German accents. Brock-Patel was the pop princess, full of sass and Robinson is the icing on the already perfect cake, giving us sense of female empowerment and solidarity. The Queens are joined and accompanied on stage by the amazing all-female band, Ladies in Waiting, they had the venue rocking.

The costumes and hair were just stunning. Leather, studs, and spikes were everywhere. The costumes did have a look of Tudor but with a very contemporary twist, and I loved the little slots they had for their microphones.

What a show it was, fabulous songs, set and costumes. This show is energetic, full of sass, but poignant at the same time. I think I have learnt more about Henry VIII from this than I did at school. Perhaps they should include this show as part of the curriculum? Certainly, it would be more engaging.

At only 80 minutes long, there is no interval, it is over far too quickly, but boy does it pack a punch. I wouldn’t necessarily describe it as a musical, it certainly isn’t your traditional one that is for sure, it has the feel of a concert, with fab songs and great performances, one you wouldn’t want to miss.

If this comes to a theatre near you make sure you book early. I’ve had a look at tickets for York in October, as that is closer to home, and virtually every single ticket has been sold already! One not to be missed.

York Theatre Royal – Thursday 21st April 2022

Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

5*****

CBeebies superstar and children’s favourite Justin Fletcher is touring the UK with an all-singing, all dancing extravaganza and is gracing the York Theatre Royal stage for four shows over two days. He has been a mainstay of children’s television for over 20 years and is adored by generations. I was lucky enough to take my three grandchildren, ages 3, 4 and 5, a bit of a challenge on my own I must say. They were also eager to catch a glimpse of Mr Tumble, especially the youngest one.

The stalls and dress circle were packed with excited children, accompanied by parents and grandparents. Straight from the off the whole audience were engaged, counting down for Justin to appear onstage. When he did arrive on stage he got a big cheer, everyone was so happy to see him. He was joined on stage by four animated performers, Bex, Honour, Reece and Nico. They were what you would expect from children’s entertainers, excitable, full of energy and excellent support for Justin.

Full of slapstick fun, cream pies, and old favourites of “Head, shoulders, knees and toes”, “Hokey cokey” and “Music man”, much to the delight of all. Makaton was also used during the show, just like he uses on television. It was lovely to see the children getting involved in signing.

The show is 1 hour and 40 minutes long, which includes a 20-minute break. This sounds quite long for little people, but it certainly didn’t feel like it. The show managed to keep the attention of my lot and the vast majority of the audience. The first act is the longest, full of singing, rhymes, silliness, and laughter. The second act had more of a party feel to it, a true celebration.

Justin really appeared to be enjoying himself on the stage, he loves entertaining, and the children love him. He’s like a cuddly teddy. Though he didn’t slip into our favourite persona, Mr Tumble, it didn’t matter. It was great to see everyone enjoying themselves, my oldest just couldn’t sit still, he absolutely loved it, as did we all.

Justin Live only has a few more shows this Spring before returning to the stage in the Autumn. A must see for all fans of all his numerous television shows and I hope he carries on entertaining another generation of children.

Images from THE CHER SHOW’s opening night at Curve, Leicester on Tuesday 19 April 2022, marking the start of the UK and Ireland tour.

THE CHER SHOW tells the incredible story of Cher’s meteoric rise to fame. Cher takes the audience by the hand and introduces them to the influential people in her life, from her mother and Sonny Bono, to fashion designer and costumier Bob Mackie. It shows how she battles the men who underestimated her, fought the conventions and, above all, was a trailblazer for independence.

The musical is packed with 35 of her biggest hits, including ‘If I Could Turn Back Time’,  ‘I Got You Babe’, ‘Strong Enough’, ‘The Shoop Shoop Song’ and ‘Believe’.

THE CHER SHOW is written by Tony Award-Winning Rick Elice and is directed by Arlene Phillips with choreography by Oti Mabuse. THE CHER SHOW stars Debbie Kurup, Danielle Steers and Millie O’Connell as Cher – Star, Lady and Babe respectively.

CAMERON MACKINTOSH’S

RECORD-BREAKING TOUR OF

“LES MISÉRABLES”

ANNOUNCES

RACHELLE ANN GO

TO STAR AS

‘FANTINE’

FROM

MONDAY 16 MAY 2022

Cameron Mackintosh is delighted to announce that musical theatre star Rachelle Ann Go will star as ‘Fantine’ in the acclaimed UK and Ireland Tour of Boublil and Schönberg’s “LES MISÉRABLES” from Monday 16 May in Milton Keynes. Full listings below.

Rachelle Ann Go reprises her role as Fantine, having starred in the West End production of Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre, Sondheim Theatre and in the Asian Tour. She also starred as Eliza Hamilton in the original London company of Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre and won a What’s On Stage Award for her role as Gigi in Miss Saigon at the Prince Edward Theatre in the West End before reprising the role on Broadway and on film. Internationally she has played Ariel in The Little Mermaid and Jane Porter in Tarzan, both at the Meralco Theatre, Philippines and won the Philippines reality television series, Search For A Star.

Rachelle Ann Go joins Dean Chisnall as ‘Jean Valjean’, Nic Greenshields as ‘Javert’ Ian Hughes as ‘Thénardier’, Will Callan as ‘Marius’, Nathania Ong as ‘Eponine’, Helen Walsh as ‘Madame Thénardier’, Samuel Wyn-Morris as ‘Enjolras’ and Paige Blankson as ‘Cosette’.

The cast is completed by George Arvidson, Aidan Banyard, Will Barratt, Adam Boardman, Rebecca Bolton, Emily Olive Boyd, Olivia Brereton, Harry Chandler, Rebecca Ferrin, Aimee Good, Steven Hall, Jenna Innes, Tessa Kadler, Damian Kneale, Caleb Lagayan, Abel Law, Joseph McDonnell, Zabrina Norry, Emily Owens, Jordan Simon Pollard, Jamie Pritchard, Dean Read, Rebecca Ridout and Rick Zwart.

Since Cameron Mackintosh first conceived this acclaimed new production of LES MISÉRABLES in 2009, to celebrate the show’s 25^th anniversary, it has taken the world by storm. It will relaunch its record-breaking tour of North America in October this year, a new tour of The Netherlands is set for early 2023 with further productions to be announced.

Boublil and Schönberg’s magnificent iconic score of LES MISÉRABLES includes the classic songs, I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, Stars, Bring Him Home, Do You Hear the People Sing?, One Day More, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables, Master Of The House and many more. Several of its songs have become real life anthems of revolution wherever in the world people are fighting for their freedom. Seen by over 120 million people worldwide in 52 countries and in 22 languages, LES MISÉRABLES is undisputedly one of the world’s most popular and contemporary musicals.

Cameron Mackintosh’s production of LES MISÉRABLES is written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg and is based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, additional material by James Fenton and adaptation by Trevor Nunn and John Caird. Orchestrations are by Stephen Metcalfe, Christopher Jahnke and Stephen Brooker with original orchestrations by John Cameron. The production is directed by James Powell and Laurence Connor, designed by Matt Kinley inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo with costumes by Andreane Neofitou and Christine Rowland, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Mick Potter, projections realised by Finn Ross and Fifty Nine Productions, musical staging by Geoffrey Garratt, and music supervision by Stephen Brooker and Graham Hurman.

2022 marks 50 years since GREASE first opened on Broadway.

Starring Dan Partridge as Danny, Olivia Moore as Sandy and Peter Andre as Vince Fontaine at certain performances. Special Guest Star Jason Donovan will play Teen Angel at certain performances for 6 weeks from 29 June. 

Also in the cast are Jocasta Almgill as Rizzo, Paul French as Kenickie, Mary Moore as Jan, Jake Reynolds as Doody, Lizzy-Rose Esin-Kelly as Marty, Damon Gould as Sonny, Eloise Davies as Frenchie, Jessica Croll as Patty Simcox, Katie Lee as Cha Cha, Ronan Burns as Johnny Casino and Corinna Powlesland as Miss Lynch. Darren Bennett will play Officer Mailie and Vince Fontaine at certain performances.

GREASE originally opened in Chicago in 1971, followed by a move to Broadway in 1972, where it received seven Tony Award nominations, including one for Best Musical. The musical features beloved songs, including Summer Nights, Greased Lightnin’, Hopelessly Devoted To You and You’re The One That I Want.

GREASE is directed by Nikolai Foster and choreographed by Dame Arlene Phillips.  

A beautiful and enchanting new event comes to an iconic West End venue this Spring. Musicals by Candlelight invites you to sit back, relax and experience the world’s most beloved musical theatre compositions performed by a live string quartet in the heart of London’s West End.

Musicals by Candlelight

Wednesday 20 April 2022 – Thursday 19 May 2022

The Actors’ Church, Covent Garden, London

Book tickets here.

Discover this new series of serene candlelight concerts in London at an iconic venue. Each concert by candlelight showcases the songs of world’s greatest musical theatre composers played by a candlelight quartet of string musicians.

Featuring an exceptional repertoire of songs from shows such as Les Misérables, West Side Story, My Fair Lady and many more, Musicals by Candlelight is the perfect way to unwind in an intimate setting with an evening of the utmost tranquillity and harmony accompanied by candlelight music.