Best foot forward in musical on footballer’s life

Dancing Shoes enacts George’s skill but doesn’t shirk from his sadness, says Carl Dixon

DANCING Shoes — The George Best Story, which played to acclaim in Best’s native Belfast, comes to the Grand Canal Theatre on August 29, until September 3. Written by Marie Jones and Martin Lynch and directed by Peter Sheridan, the musical recreates the wild times and sadness of the footballing genius’s turbulent life. The title refers to a quote from flamboyant ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev, who, when asked to name the greatest dancer in the world, replied “George Best.”

Born in 1946 into a Protestant working-class family, Best honed his football skills amid the terraces of east Belfast. This bright, handsome child was given his first professional trial at Manchester United at age 15, and Bob Bishop, the scout who discovered him, introduced him to manager Matt Busby in a telegram with the words “I think I’ve found you a genius.” Best made his debut for Manchester United age 17 and scored in his second match at Old Trafford in front of 54,000 fans.