THE BEST OF BRITISH

Stuart Mey and his Dockyard team to offer various shows in Durban and Pietermaritzburg.

Up until several months ago, Stuart Mey ran his Dockyard Theatre from Musgrave Centre before the venue was forced to close. While the venue itself fell victim to the economic slump, the Dockyard team is still up and running and Stuart Mey offers various shows in Durban and Pietermaritzburg.

Currently, Stuart Mey is presenting what is certain to be another run-away hit show. The Best of British celebrates the music that changed the world. International pop music, prior to the 1960’s, was largely dominated by American artists; mainly oily-voiced crooners like Bobby Vinton, Andy Williams and Perry Como, and of course the rock ‘n roll singers like Elvis and Buddy Holly.

When the Beatles burst onto the scene in 1962, initially playing a lot of American rock ‘n roll, loads of other British acts were soon to follow. The breakthrough first came between 1963 and about 1965, when pop groups like Herman’s Hermits, The Dave Clark 5, Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Hollies, (who took their name from Buddy Holly), The Beatles, (whose name was inspired by Holly’s band “The Crickets”), The Rolling Stones and many others started having hit records in the USA.

Their effect was huge, and in 1965 the US government put an embargo on work permits for British bands as they began to displace some of the American bands on the US charts.

American TV presenter Ed Sullivan, invited many of Britain’s most popular performers to appear on his show, thus giving credibility and acceptance to these acts. Featured on the Ed Sullivan Show were The Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Dave Clark 5, Dusty Springfield, Helen Shapiro, The Animals, The Rolling Stones to name but a few.

The Best Of British features the music of those British singers and bands who invaded America in the 1960’s and performers like Van Morrison, Duffy, George Michael and KT Tunstall who still give the Yanks a good run for their money.

The Best of British can be seen in Pietermaritzburg at the Victoria Country Club on May 30 in celebration of the Test between South Africa and the British Lions. Watch the afternoon’s battle for supremacy on the big screen from 15h00; then enjoy a pub-grub dinner followed by The Best of British. Further information from Karyn at Going Places on 031 309 1841 (o/h).

There will be a prior performance at Northlands Primary on May 29 – bookings on 031 564 2369.

The Best of British can also be seen at Falcon Crest Manor House from June 5 to 7 in supper theatre format. R175pp includes a three-course meal. Bookings on 084 513 6271 or email: glamorous@telkomsa.net