(Pic: Catherine Mace and Ricky McGregor, (front) Dave Arnold, Cobus van Heerden and Kerry Wood)
Pub songs and hit numbers woven into fun celebration of Irish music. (Review by Caroline Smart)
Normally sung round pianos in pubs and beer halls, well-known and much-loved Irish songs take on a new status in an enjoyable musical theatre presentation currently running at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre.
Produced by Ricky MacGregor and staged by Catherine Mace with Mike Broderick’s evocative lighting and Colin Peddy in charge of music, Paddy Learns to Rock also offers hit numbers by some of Ireland’s greatest performers in this celebration of all things Irish. Presented by The Moonshine Music Company in association with The Mountain Cabbage Club of South Africa, the programme says the show is “devised by strong drink and written by the cast”. If all that doesn’t give you an idea of the fun element involved, nothing will!
Ricky MacGregor himself as Mick with Catherine Mace (Kate), Cobus van Heerden (Paddy, of the title!), Kerry Wood (Kerry) and David Arnold (Seamus) had the audience responding in delight within ten minutes of the show’s start. A well-balanced cast, they make up a strong musical ensemble with good harmonies.
The storyline hinges on the fact that Paddy is leaving Ireland to travel the world in search of adventure. His friends give him a surprise party in the pub and he is bombarded with advice – and a gift or two – to send him on his way. However, not before everyone’s had a good chance to sing numbers by Chris de Burgh (Don’t Pay the Ferryman and Lady in Red); Westlife (You Say Nothing); The Cors (Breathless); Van Morrison (Moon Dance and Brown-Eyed Girl); Enya (Orinico Flow); Sinead O’Connor (Nothing Compares to You); U2 (Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For), and a medley from The Commitments. For good measure, there’s The Leaving of Liverpool, The Wild Rover, Sweet Sixteen, the old faithful Paddy McGinty’s Goat and a large dollop of blarney!
While stronger direction would provide the finishing touches, the accents wander around a bit, and you have to wait till nearly the end for the title to make sense, this is a very enjoyable show. It sees many of the songs which normally get rather boozy renditions in pubs being given a respectful airing. Danny Boy (Catherine) and Maggie (Kerry) were poignantly sung. The Irish can sure pull your heartstrings!
No Irish celebration would be complete without the fascinating dance style of the Emerald Isle. The Parker Studio of Celtic Dance features strongly in the show and dancers Bronwyn Parker, Lynn Snyman, Amy Stow and twins Melissa and Samantha Wood (they sure look identical!) display the high standard of performance for which the studio is known as they move from pixie-like prancing to dizzying rapid-fire footwork.
There is a lucky programme draw each night with two finalists per night standing the chance of winning an Ibanez Electric Guitar from Coastal Music. Finalists will be invited to the final performance on October 26 where the draw will take place.
Paddy Learns to Rock runs at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre until October 26. Early booking is advised at Computicket on 083 915 8000. – Caroline Smart
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