A NEW musical capturing the fascinating life of Mobberley-born Everest mountaineer George Mallory is coming to the stage.
This year marks the centenary of his brave attempt to become the first man to conquer the summit in June 1924.
George and his climbing partner Andrew ‘Sandy’ Irvine disappeared on the North East Ridge some 29 years before Sir Edmond Hillary made his successful return from the summit in May, 1953.
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‘Mallory and the Mountain’ blends a stirring folk-rock score with expansive cinematic soundscapes.
A towering digital screen projects breathtaking images of the Himalayas, immersing the audience in the perilous climb while unravelling one of mountaineering’s most enduring mystery.
The one night only concert will be performed by West End stars on Saturday, October 19, at Storyhouse in Chester.
Wilmslow composer Ollie Mills learned about the life of the legendary climber after finding a book about him, while studying musical composition.
The 29-year-old, who composed the lyrics and music, said: “It was a mammoth task transforming a story like this for the stage because the thing that most interests people about Mallory are his adventures on Everest and the mystery of his disappearance – but, actually, there’s this rich history that precedes that.
“He was already 30 before he even thought about Everest.
“He’d done all sorts of things before that and gotten himself involved with all sorts of weird and wacky people and these are really juicy stories ripe and ready for transforming into theatre.
“I’m trying to do my best to tell the most interesting and entertaining version of the story.”
George's father, Herbert Leigh-Mallory, was vicar of St Wilfrid's Church, Mobberley, as were several generations of Mallory man before him.
It was thought that George would follow his forefathers into the church, but after being chosen for a mountaineering expedition to Switzerland whilst at Winchester School, his vocation as an adventurer was confirmed.
The musical drama unfolds through flashbacks as George recounts details of his past to friend and fellow climber Sandy, each time the pair stop to eat.
Ollie added: “Audiences can expect high emotions, exhilarating moments and some of the most sensational voices in musical theatre today.
“It’s a story of ambition and the relentless pursuit of a dream, but also of friendship, with a love story at its core.
“I hope audiences leave both uplifted and inspired – it’s truly a treat to the senses.”
Leading the stellar cast is Chris Jared as George Mallory, alongside Rebecca Gilliland as Ruth Mallory and Benjamin Karran as Sandy Irvine.
The concert will delve into the human drama of the fateful 1924 expedition, where, in the final push to reach Everest’s summit, he and Irvine vanished into the clouds.
Ollie said: “The thing that really gets to people is the question – did he make it to the summit or not?
“He and Sandy attempted the summit on June 8 or 9, 1924, and went missing – never to be seen again until Mallory’s body was found 75 years later by some American climbers.”
Inspired by Mallory’s adventurous spirit, the show is expected to captivate audiences with its blend of emotional depth, historical intrigue, and the haunting allure of Everest.
To book visit storyhouse.com/whats-on/mallory-and-the-mountain-a-new-musical-in-concert/
The partial remains of Sandy are understood to have been discovered recently by a team sent by the National Geographic.
What is believed to be his foot, encased in his sock and boot, was found on Everest’s Central Rongbuk Glacier, below the mountain’s North Face and at a lower altitude than where Mallory’s body was discovered in 1999, just 2,000 feet from the summit.
He had a rope around his waist and injuries consistent with the possibility that he and Irvine might have fallen while being roped together.
The pair’s Vest Pocket Kodak camera, which Mallory borrowed from fellow mountaineer Howard Somervell, has never been found.
This might have contained crucial photographs proving the men had reached the top of Everest.
Sandy’s remains were identified by the name stitched into his sock: A.C. Irvine.
The find has been reported to the Royal Geographical Society, the body that organised Mallory and Irvine’s original expedition, along with the Alpine Club.
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