Performer Name: Michael Burdett

Show Name: Before Fame OR What not to do when you discover one of the world's greatest pop duos in a village hall

Show Description

Before Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, before the sold-out stadiums, and before superstardom, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley were just two 17-year-olds with big dreams. In 1979, Michael Burdett spotted their potential and took them into the studio to record their first songs. But there was a twist –at this point they were the two singers in a ska band. That plan didn’t work out, but what happened next changed pop history forever. Now, in this funny, surprising, and uplifting solo show, Edinburgh award-winner Michael Burdett takes you behind the scenes of Wham!’s meteoric rise – from early rejections to global fame, selling over 30 million records. And 40 years later, Burdett travelled to every county in the UK photographing strangers listening to the recording on headphones. Could they guess who they were listening to? Told with wit, warmth, and a healthy dose of self-deprecating humour, Before Fame is the story of, In Michael’s words, two musical geniuses and an idiot. (Spoiler alert: Michael’s the idiot.) If you like Wham! or enjoy the early travelogue adventures of Dave Gorman, or you just want to hear James Acaster read George and Andrew’s first rejection letter this is the show for you. About Michael Burdett Michael Burdett is a composer who has written music for television, radio and theatre. His award-winning one-man show Strange Face – Adventures with a Lost Nick Drake Recording went to Edinburgh to great acclaim. Before Fame is his second show. It has been shortlisted for the best new show at Brighton Fringe 2025.

Image for show
I require a projector, screen, sound system and a light. However if not available at the venue I can bring my own.
I sit in front and to the side of a screen where a number of pictures appear and I tell stories about the images. (I realise this sounds boring). Apparently it isn't. So the audience need to be facing the stage or stage area.
I can get printed flyers and posters
I wrote the theme tune to Homes Under The Hammer. I'm also James Acaster's supplier of vintage iPods. Most importantly I have a funny and heartwarming show to offer. The show Before Fame (OR: What NOT to do when you discover one of the world's greatest pop duos in a village hall) is about how I was nearly Wham!'s first manager. It is a show about two musical geniuses and an idiot. Spoiler alert, I am the idiot. If you like stories of coincidence, fun and adventure. This is the show for you. Shortlisted for best new show at Brighton Fringe 2025 and given a four star review in the Times and a five star review by comedian Lucy Porter, it'll make you laugh and possibly cry too. It is the follow up to my previous Edinburgh Award winning show Strange Face Adventures with a Lost Nick Drake Recording. I like a long title.