A musical biopic will pay tribute to rock and roll icon George Harrison on what would have been the Beatle’s 80th birthday.
Something About George – The George Harrison Story will tell the musical chronicle of the “quiet Beatle” at The Playhouse on March 2.
The production, from the creators of Something About Simon – The Paul Simon Story, will explore Harrison’s life after the Fab Four.
The set will span Harrison’s songwriting catalogue from his time in The Beatles, the Traveling Wilburys and solo career.
A five-piece band will perform classic tunes including Something, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, My Sweet Lord, Got My Mind Set On You and Handle With Care.
Daniel Taylor, a singer-songwriter and actor from Liverpool, will lead the performance, having previously portrayed John Lennon and Tommy Cooper on stage.
“When I first entered the rehearsal room and we started playing George’s songs, something happened,” he says. “There was this karma around the room. That’s what George brought to the world. I truly believe he’s got this great karma that lives through his music.”
Daniel’s parents used to hang around with Pete Best, the drummer who was replaced by Ringo Starr.
“My dad knew John Lennon,” Daniel says. “He used to come to West Derby village, which was the home of the Cashbah Club, owned by Pete’s mother Mona Best, where The Beatles played.”
The show debuted at Edinburgh Festival Fringe last year. It will also play at the Liverpool Philharmonic on Harrison’s birthday, February 25.
“The Philharmonic is a hugely iconic venue in Liverpool,” Daniel says. “We’re absolutely delighted to bring the show to Norwich and 12 other venues during the tour.”
The production explores his marriage to Pattie Boyd, who eventually left George for guitarist Eric Clapton, his charity work during the Concert for Bangladesh, and his role as a film producer for Monty Python’s Life of Brian.
It also discusses George’s spirituality as well as meeting Indian composer and sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar. Throughout his life, Harrison learned to play 26 instruments, among them guitar, sitar, tamboura, tabla, moog synthesizer and ukulele.
“Like John, Paul and Ringo, George was hugely ahead of his time,” says Daniel. “If you’re a Beatles fanatic – like most of us are – please come along to the show! These songs are absolutely timeless.
“People keep telling me that George is their favourite Beatle,” Daniel says. “He’s certainly mine.”
Something About George – The George Harrison Story is at The Playhouse on March 2, 2023. For more information or to book tickets, please visit norwichtheatre.org
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