Something About Simon

About

A new stage show celebrating the life and music of singer songwriter Paul Simon, Something About Simon comes to Lighthouse, Poole;s centre for the arts, on Saturdaty 15 February.

The show has been created by Liverpool singer songwriter Gary Edward Jones, along with Bill Elms and Jon Fellowes, who have spent three years crafting the production, which Gary describes as a real labour of love. Having won critical acclaim on home soil and overseas, the team are taking the show on the road again.

The success story for Something About Simon first began when the show was premiered in Liverpool, where it enjoyed a successful two-night pilot run at the Epstein Theatre in Autumn 2018, earning five-star reviews and wowing audiences and critics alike.

Gary Edward Jones has spent countless hours researching the musical legend and studying his lyrics, music and life to gain a real insight into the man behind the music. A natural storyteller, Gary tells the unique story of one of his idols, combining visuals, stage design, storytelling and, of course, that iconic music and incredible songs.

Weaving together songs and stories that cross the Atlantic from New Jersey to the North West of England, Gary traces the sometimes-poignant moments in Paul Simon’s life and career that occasionally mirror his own – all delivered perfectly with his warm Liverpudlian charm and charisma.

Music highlights include classic ballads like ‘The Sound of Silence’, ‘America’, ‘Kathy’s Song’ and ‘Bridge Over Troubled Waters’, to the more upbeat ‘Me And Julio’, 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover’ and ‘Wristband’.

With a heritage of half Maltese and half Liverpudlian, Gary’s musical journey began aged just 11 when he picked up his brother’s guitar and he’s never looked back. Whilst studying woodcarving and cabinet making at college, he still pursued his love of music and began to find his own style, inspired by early Motown, blues and folk.

Following the warm welcome and success in Liverpool, Edinburgh Fringe 2019 beckoned. The production captured the hearts of audiences and critics and, during its run in Edinburgh, Something About Simon was specially selected to play in a New York showcase with a chance to win a NYC residency.

Hand-picked as one of the best shows from the Edinburgh Festival 2019, in November the production headed to New York to play in the Fringe Encore Series at SoHo Playhouse, where it played six sell-out performances. This opportunity gave the show and its creative team the opportunity to perform on an international platform alongside the very best festival acts from across the world.

Gary Edward Jones commented: “After a sell-out run at the SoHo Playhouse in New York, we’re excited to be back on home soil to tour the full stage version of Something About Simon. It’s been an incredible two years since we first premiered the show in Liverpool and we’re taking absolutely nothing for granted. The show has been given such a warm welcome that it’s such a joy to step onto stage and tell Paul Simon’s story through dialogue and song. It’s a real privilege and honour to have the opportunity to do so.

Something About Simon 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.