#Review: Something About George, Theatre Royal, St Helens, 24.02.23

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5 Star Review

Being from Liverpool, I must be an anomaly and certainly in the minority as I admit, and will say it out loud… I am not that into the Beatles. I acknowledge their creativity, I acknowledge their musical talents and how they have put the wonderfully vibrant city of Liverpool on the global map. However I’m really not a fan of their personalities given the fact that I know people who grew up with girls who got pregnant by one or two of them and how they were paid off to keep quiet and not tarnish their image. This makes me struggle to look beyond their lack of personal integrity and question where their moral compass is at!

Until … 

I witnessed and intently listened to the  narrative of George Harrsion, post Beatles era in a superbly moving tribute to the ‘quiet Beatle’ and arguably lesser well known (I know that it is unfathomable that this could be the case) better behaved, principled and moral George.  Out of the four of them, George being the baby, he simply bypassed the limelight whilst the press, music critics and fan base focused on MacCartney, Lennon and Starr.  

Something About George – The George Harrison Story is a musical biopic tribute to the musician and philanthropist phenomenon which coincided with a sold- out performance the following day, at Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hall on what would have been George’s 80th birthday.

This show was expertly engineered through the extraordinary talents of Something About Productions, which is a UK based theatrical production company comprising of: Bill Elms (theatre producer) Jon Fellows (writer and musician) and Gary Edwards Jones (singer songwriter) This company’s aim is to celebrate the lives of the world’s biggest and most iconic performers. The resulting impact of their research is to authentically honour the music, life and inspiration of one artist through factual, poignant and beautifully written, directed and stylised shows. 

The stage was simple, just a backdrop of images of George at different periods of his life.  It didn’t need any more as the amazingly talented West End actor and musician Daniel Taylor narrated the life of George. Taylor not only played the guitar and adopted Harrison’s mannerisms, not to mention his voice during his monologue, he was also the vocalist. Taylor was backed by a number of talented musicians including: Max O’Hara (Keys, vocals and musical director), Callum MacMillan (percussion/drums), Tom Kinton (bass guitar and vocals) and Joe Smithson (guitar and vocals).  There was even a guest appearance from Beryl Marsden who duetted on Something.

Something About George – The George Harrison Story told the truly remarkable tale of one of music’s most understated icons, the ups and down of his relationship with the music press plus,.plenty of facts and tales along the way.  

I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who has tickets for the tour’s remaining performances so i’ll just say, it expertly covers: incredible and long-lasting friendships, his premonitions of fan attacks; his love for both his first and second wives and how they became the muses for his songs; his affinity with Hare Krishhna and Hinduism; his most expensive cinema ticket, in the form of financing the Monty Python – Life Of Brian film and everything in between. Tears were brought to the audience’s eyes when with exceptional sensitivity and reflection, it covered George’s death and his family’s thoughts on this.  Ending with how his impressive legacy –  musically, spiritually and tangibly lives on to help others.

All songs were performed superbly pitch perfect, giving an moving and entirely beautiful tribute to lesser and well classics such as ‘My Sweet Lord’, ‘Something’, ‘Got My Mind Set On You’ and ‘Handle With Care’, 

The show also  included incredible solo material, collaborations with his longtime friend Eric Clapton and music from rock n’ roll’s greatest supergroup, The Travelling Wilburys (Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Roy Orbison

This is an amazing show which had me singing all the way home from the theatre, positively raving about the performance and asking Alexa to play George Harrison hits all weekend.

 I strongly implore you to book tickets for dates reaming on the tour:

Norwich Theatre, Norwich – Thursday 2nd March

White Rock theatre, Hastings – Friday 3rd March

Corn Exchange, Newbury – Saturday 4th March

Quesns theatre, Barnstable – Sunday 5th March

Theatre Clywd, Mold – Wednesday 8th & Thursday 9th March 

The Wolsey, Ipswich – Friday 10th March

Arts Centre, Salisbury – Saturday 11th March

Waterside, Sale – Sunday 12 March

Set List: 

Art of Dying, All things Must Pass, If Not For You, I’d Have You Anytime, Bangla Desh, Wah Wah, My sweet Lord, Something, Give Me Love, Taxman, Here Comes The Moon, Dark Sweet Lady, All Those Years Ago, Got My Mind Set On You, Handle With Care, End Of The Line, any road, Here comes The Sun.

Encore:

While My Guitar Gently Weeps.

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