Animal Farm the musical? This should be interesting!

Elton John writing musical adaptation of Animal Farm - Monsters and Critics

By Daniela Elser Jul 23, 2010, 12:30 GMT

Elton John is said to be working on a stage show based on George Orwell’s classic political novel Animal Farm.

The 63-year-old Piano Man is said to have teamed up with Lee Hall, who penned the musical Billy Elliot. Hall picked up an Oscar nomination as well as Tony and Olivier awards for his work on the hit production.

The producers had faced challenges acquiring the rights to the book. Hall explained, “It's taken about two years. We almost gave up, but there was always that one last licence to go after.”

Discussing the appeal of the text, Hall said, “The line ‘all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others’ lend themselves to lyrics.”

“I'm deep into it, writing songs for pigs and other four-legged friends,” he told the Daily Mail.

Audiences can expect to wait about two years before the curtains are raised, says Hall.

Listening party at the LA Times for "The Union"

First listen: Elton John, Leon Russell and T Bone Burnett unveil 'The Union' in Santa Monica | Pop & Hiss | Los Angeles Times

First listen: Elton John, Leon Russell and T Bone Burnett unveil 'The Union' in Santa Monica
July 22, 2010 | 3:19 pm




Elton John has always been passionate about his musical taste, always ready to throw his support behind new acts that capture his imagination, whether it’s the Scissor Sisters or Lady Gaga.

But in recent years he’s also been on a special mission to turn the spotlight on veteran artists who never got the attention he and other pop stars received, a key reason he dreamed up the Sundance Channel music interview and performance series “Spectacle,” and persuaded his friend Elvis Costello to take on the job as host.

That mission is front and center with “The Union,” his forthcoming duet album with fellow piano-pounding rocker Leon Russell, to whom John doffed his cap during the first episode of “Spectacle.”

Food poisoning postpones Elton John's Ariz concert

TUCSON, Ariz. – A bout of food poisoning has caused the postponement of Elton John's scheduled concert at Tucson Arena.

The Arizona Daily Star reports that Wednesday night's show was nearly sold out with about 8,800 tickets purchased. Organizers say the British rocker will perform Thursday night instead.

A spokeswoman for the Tucson concert venue says John apologizes for the inconvenience caused by his illness, but doctors say he will be fine to take the stage Thursday.

"The Union" cover art

And my reaction?


The Union by Elton John and Leon Russell. Photo: Annie Leibovitz, copyright: eltonjohn.com

So lets see, lets take two piano players, sit them down in front of their pianos in a room and take a picture.  Brilliant!  Sheer Annie Leibovitz genius.  I would never have thought of that!