Major tribute tour bringing classic Bacharach songs to Halifax
The celebrated body of work by composer Burt Bacharach will be performed in Halifax this October when What The World Needs Now – The Burt Bacharach Songbook arrives at the Victoria Theatre. The production, which follows a sold‑out engagement at London’s Royal Albert Hall, is led by Bacharach’s longtime musical director Rob Shirakbari and features the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.
Organisers say the tour brings together musicians who either worked alongside Bacharach or have been significantly influenced by his songwriting. The Halifax date will include guest appearances from British performers Rumer, Olivier Award‑nominee Shaun Escoffery and Mercury Prize‑nominated singer‑songwriter Ed Harcourt.
“It's not about any one person onstage. The goal is to honour the songs, keep the catalogue alive, and serve Burt Bacharach's musical legacy.”
The repertoire for the evening is expected to draw on many of Bacharach’s most enduring hits. Audiences in Halifax can anticipate arrangements of staples such as Walk On By, The Look Of Love, Anyone Who Had A Heart, Make It Easy On Yourself, Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head and What The World Needs Now Is Love.
Musical direction grounded in decades of collaboration
Rob Shirakbari brings a distinctive perspective to the project. Having worked with both Bacharach and Dionne Warwick for more than 40 years, first as a pianist and later as arranger and musical director, Shirakbari has been credited with much of the show’s orchestration and arrangements. Bacharach himself is quoted as saying Shirakbari was instrumental to the presentation of the show.
For Halifax audiences, that depth of experience means the evening will aim to balance faithful renditions with orchestral polish, allowing the songs to remain the central focus rather than individual star turns.
- When: October (tour dates across the UK)
- Where: Victoria Theatre, Halifax
- Key performers: Rob Shirakbari, Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, Rumer, Shaun Escoffery, Ed Harcourt
- Expected repertoire: Classic Bacharach songs including Walk On By, The Look Of Love and What The World Needs Now Is Love
The combination of an established orchestra, an experienced musical director and guest vocalists with direct links to Bacharach’s sound suggests the production is pitched at audiences who cherish the composer’s catalogue as well as those seeking a high‑quality orchestral show.
| Artist | Connection to Bacharach |
|---|---|
| Rob Shirakbari | Longtime musical director; arranger and orchestrator |
| Rumer | Recorded an album of Bacharach & David songs; praised by Bacharach |
| Shaun Escoffery | Olivier Award‑nominated singer; guest performer on the tour |
| Ed Harcourt | Mercury Prize‑nominated singer‑songwriter; guest performer |
Tickets and timing for the Halifax performance will be available via the Victoria Theatre box office and usual ticket outlets. Promoters have positioned the tour as a celebration of the songs themselves rather than a vehicle for a single performer, a framing likely to appeal to long‑standing fans of the composer and those interested in orchestral reinterpretations of popular classics.
For local concertgoers, the visit offers a rare opportunity to hear a major catalogue performed with orchestral backing and under the guidance of a figure closely associated with Bacharach’s own working methods. The presence of guest artists with contemporary recognition provides an added attraction, bridging the original material with newer performers who have carried the songs forward in recent years.
Further details on the Halifax date, including exact timings and ticket prices, will be published by the venue and tour promoters ahead of the autumn season.
