Whether you are an Elton John fan or not, there is no mistaking his footprint on the music and pop-culture landscape over the past several decades. An EGOT winner with 300 million in record sales, hundreds of millions raised for his AIDS foundation and countless other records and accolades to his name.
Most people can remember the first time they heard Elton, or an Elton song attached to a particular memory, or even their own Elton moment. And this is what Your Song embraces – the times in our lives that intersected with Elton’s music.
Your Song is not a tribute concert, however it’s a tribute to the songwriting genius that is Elton John and his incredible talent to create music that connects us, moves us, motivates us, celebrates us, makes us smile, laugh, cry and dance.
This iteration of Your Song, produced by The Little Red Company, bring four absolute rockstar powerhouses of talent to the stage: Jason Arrow (Hamilton, The Lovers), Luke Kennedy (The Voice Australia, The TEN Tenors), Irena Lysiuk (Round the Twist, There’s Something About Music) and John O’Hara (Jesus Christ Superstar, TINA – The Tina Turner Musical).
As the lights dim and the show commences we hear voices. Voices of people telling us their real-life Elton story. These stories continue to be told throughout the night by Jason, Luke, Irena and John. Some are short stories, told in batches. Some are longer stories that are then interwoven with an Elton song. Some involve costumes and rollerskates, some are stripped all the way back to just a singer and a guitar or piano.
The audience is taken on an impeccably crafted journey of Elton’s music – with the big song numbers beautifully balanced with the quieter, intimate ones – beautifully compiled by creators Adam Brunes and Naomi Price.
It would be impossible to include all of Elton’s greatest hits into one show – it would simply go for hours. But there is something for everyone to enjoy in Your Song and every performer gets their own standout moments.
Kennedy delivers a soulful rendition of “Daniel”, Lysiuk shines comedically and vocally with “Your Song”, Arrow nearly brings the house down with “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues” and O’Hara’s “Yellow Brick Road” performance is simply sublime.
The four are never far from the stage, either performing as a quartet or providing backup vocals and playing instruments. They have a wonderful chemistry and compliment each other’s styles beautifully. There is no impersonation, but intelligent interpretation – no one’s trying to be Elton, and that’s exactly why it works.
The onstage band also plays a role in the show, not only with their awesome sounds, but also joining in on some of the storytelling. Mik Easterman (drums), OJ Newcomb (bass), Damian Sim (keys), Stephen Ward (guitar) bring Elton’s (and Bernie Taupin’s – can’t forget his role in this) music to life with joy and panache.
90 minutes goes by way too fast, and before you know it, you are on your feet to “I’m Still Standing” and a gleeful closing medley, and of course glitter, feathers and outrageous sunglasses.
It is ELTON after all!
Your Song is only playing for 5 more performances at the Brisbane Powerhouse before going on tour, so if you have no plans this weekend, it is highly recommended for a honky cat of a show – filled with the pure and simply joy that is Elton John, delivered in a beautiful and caring way by a dazzling collection of performers.
Your Song is equal parts gorgeous, glitter and gut-punch…very Elton.
For more information and tour details: https://www.thelittleredcompany.com/your-song
B at the Bows 