Red letter day for Elton fans

Apr 16 2009 by Gordon Barr, The Journal

TICKETS go on sale today for Elton John's hit Vegas show in Newcastle.

The entertainer will bring The Red Piano show to the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle on Saturday, October 24 with tickets on sale from 10am today.

Elton is playing only a few selected dates across Europe of his acclaimed show, which has been a big hit at The Colosseum, Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, for the past five years.

The theme throughout the visually dazzling The Red Piano, produced by David LaChapelle, is love, articulated through the songs and symbolised by the colour red, by special effects and high-end imagery.

“It’s fantastic to see how British audiences react to the Red Piano,” said Elton. “The show is stuffed with hits, it’s brash, bright and colourful.

“Over the past five years we have played over 200 Red Piano shows at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and every single one has been an event – the band and I have had a ball!”

The set has been designed to reflect Elton’s flamboyance alongside his peerless musicianship, which has seen him at the top of his game for four decades with numerous hits including I’m Still Standing, Daniel, I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues and Rocket Man.

“I have a whole new stage wardrobe designed just for The Red Piano. There are no ostrich feathers, although there will be some sequins flying around. It’s back to costume changes and velcro,” said Elton.

“The Red Piano is totally different from anything I’ve done in Britain before. It’s a fun-filled show and I’m going to have a lot of fun doing it.

“The whole concept, and even the title for the show, came from the Yamaha red piano that is centre stage throughout.”

ELTON John’s The Red Piano is at the Metro Radio Arena on October 24.