More Than Four Decades After He First Played Che Guevara In Evita, David Essex Returned To A Song That Connected His Pop Career With One Of The Most Celebrated Musicals Of His Generation
On September 19, 2026, David Essex brought his Thanks for the Memories tour to Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, revisiting the music that has accompanied more than five decades of his remarkable career. Among the songs performed was “Oh What a Circus,” a number that holds a special place in his story because it brought together his talents as a singer, actor and musical theatre performer. For fans who remember his rise during the 1970s, hearing this song again was an opportunity to revisit a very different chapter of his career. The Liverpool concert was part of his September UK tour, which celebrated his enduring contribution to British entertainment.
The story of “Oh What a Circus” began in 1978, when Essex played Che in the original London production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Evita. The musical told the story of Eva Perón, Argentina’s first lady, and examined the public spectacle surrounding her rise to power and her death. As Che, Essex served as a narrator and commentator, challenging the idealised image of Eva and questioning the way political figures become larger than life. His performance brought a rock singer’s energy to the West End stage, introducing him to audiences who knew him primarily from his hit records.
The song itself is an energetic, theatrical reflection on fame, public mourning and the strange relationship between a person and the image that survives them. Its title captures the spectacle surrounding Eva Perón’s funeral, while the lyrics question the sincerity and meaning of the public emotion on display. Essex’s recording became a hit in Britain, reaching No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart in 1978. It remains one of the most recognisable musical theatre recordings associated with his career.
By the time he arrived in Liverpool in 2026, Essex had travelled a long road from the young star who first captured attention with “Rock On” in 1973. That single reached No. 3 in Britain, followed by the chart topping “Gonna Make You a Star” and “Hold Me Close.” He also built a substantial acting career in films, television and theatre, proving that his ambitions extended well beyond the pop charts. His Thanks for the Memories tour reflected that breadth, bringing together songs from different stages of his life in entertainment.
There is a particular pleasure in hearing “Oh What a Circus” performed by the artist who originally made it his own. The song carries the drama of Evita, the excitement of late 1970s musical theatre and the memories of a performer who successfully moved between the stage and the charts. At Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, it formed part of a concert looking back across decades of music and performance, allowing an audience to hear an old favourite in the voice that first brought it to life.