MUSIC REVIEW: Guitar Heroes - The Theatre Royal, St. Helens

 

This show is ideal for guitar enthusiasts and music fans in general; it not only celebrates some of the most talented guitar players from the past 50 years but also recreates the ambiance and musical sounds of the times they performed, perfectly.

Creator/Producer, Phil Walker leads the production along with guitarists Chris Taylor, Andy L-Smith and drummer Jack Daynes.

The show is divided into small sections portraying each celebrated artist and a large video projection on the backdrop depicts each artist in turn, along with footage from some of their performances. Coloured spotlights changing colours are used throughout with strobe lighting interspersed during particular sequences.

The opening number, Chuck Berry’s ‘Sweet Little Sixteen’ was followed by Buddy Holly’s ‘Rave On’ with Phil Walker centre stage; a Shadows medley with the guitarists depicting the famous Shadows dance routine came next; ‘Purple Haze’ then celebrated the talents of Hendrix and then Toni Lommi from Black Sabbath was remembered next.

Guitarists, Chris Taylor and Andy L-Smith depicted ZZ Top dressed in long black leather coats playing white fur-trimmed guitars, singing ‘Sharp Dressed Man’ much to the amusement of the audience.

Status Quo, Eric Clapton/Cream featuring ‘Sunshine Of Your Love’ and ‘Leila’ received delighted applause and then Walker commemorated guitarist Albert Lee by playing a splendid rendition of ‘Country Boy’ whilst informing the audience that at 80 years of age Lee is still performing.

Coloured strobe lighting accompanied a rendition of Pink Floyd’s ‘Comfortably Numb’ as the first half came to an end.

The second half started with a drum solo by Daynes celebrating Mark Knopfler’s hits, then Van Halen’s hit ‘Jump’ had the audience singing and clapping along. Walker performed ‘Purple Rain’ using a replica of the distinctive Love Symbol Electric Guitar Prince used in his video of the hit song.

More of the greats were celebrated including Peter Frampton, Thin Lizzy, Santana, Gary Moore, Peter Green, Jimmy Page and Slash of Guns N’ Roses' fame until concluding with Brian May of Queen. An encore of ‘Living On A Prayer’ had the audience on their feet showing their appreciation for the finale.

The show features different artistes at each performance. Front man, Walker interspersed the production with information about the artistes portrayed along with repartee and jokey banter with the audience.

The show journeys through five decades, from 1950’s Rock & Roll through to the most innovative and inspiring guitar heroes of modern times. The performers are undoubtedly talented and accomplished musicians and are all highly skilled in versatile musicianship; they play more than 20 different guitars between them throughout the show and each performer combines guitar playing with drumming and singing.

The production is touring the UK throughout the year.

Reviewer - Anne Pritchard
on - 6.3.23