Elton John: Your Song

Elton John: Your Song, featuring Matthew Hadgraft, is a Faff & Sass Production. Their aim is fabulous live entertainment, and to kick off my month of fabulous Fringe, starting with a well-crafted tribute to the iconic, legendary Elton John, was an uplifting treat.

Disappointingly, and no reflection on Hadgraft, the venue were ill-prepared for COVID check in and the audience were left waiting for 20 minutes for the venue to open, consequently a number of patrons with other 7pm  bookings were forced to leave before the tightly timed and scripted 60 minute show ended.

Hadgraft is all glitz and glamour. Resplendent in a white sequined, feathered and bauble bedecked tuxedo, rhinestone edged glasses, top hat and feather trimmed cape (that my Nan would have loved for sheer curtains for the parlour), Hadgraft bursts into performance mode with a hand clapping, toe tapping version of “Crocodile Rock”, the first of 12 Elton John classics packed into this action-packed performance.

Known for his tributes to performers including Peter Allen and Abba, Hadgraft handles ‘tributes’ well. He tells much of Elton John’s story, from his humble beginnings to his troubled drug riddled years where his creative ‘light’ was his only saving grace. This is shared with compassion and deep respect for the performer whose work he is obviously passionate about.

Despite COVID masking, the captivated audience, who Hadgraft provided with songbooks, sang along with undisguised enthusiasm. He begged the audience not to sit in ‘reverential silence’ and many of the audience were ‘in their fun night out element’.

Hadgraft is a skilled pianist who, like his idol, plays with enormous gusto and skill. The story is cleverly sequenced with patter and subtly insinuated audience participation (this is where I confess to being chosen for a small gymnastic assistant role), embracing Elton John’s gentle ‘non-shouty’ (I quote Hadgraft) love songs, “My Song”, “Daniel” and “Candle In The Wind” and his full force standing up and playing mode for “Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting”.

Travelling with a producer and a technician who managed sound and lighting, this is a celebration of small, independent entertainment. Hadgraft vocally does not choose to ‘be’ Elton John. His phrasing and arrangements reflect Elton John, and despite some grappling with key, pitch and words at times, this is a fitting tribute to one of our most celebrated music icons. Sadly, this is a two show performance season, so few will get to enjoy Hadgraft’s energy, pizazz and musical energy, so I am hoping that perhaps Peter Allen might turn up next year as a cleverly disguised Hadgraft.

Jude Hines

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