THE BEST OF IAN AND RORY

Consummate musicianship from Ian von Memerty and Rory Rootenberg. (Review by Charlotte Fairfax)

Ian von Memerty and Rory Rootenberg sparkle in a veritable layered mix of gentle comedy and acoustic music for voice and piano in The Best of Ian and Rory currently on at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre for a short season until June 28.

The Best of Ian and Rory is the third in the trilogy of productions for piano and voice: following on from A Handful of Keys and Cadenza and More, produced by uber-amazing local producer Roland Stansell.

The carefully-chosen programme of works is daring, personal, sophisticated and surprising. It reminds us that although musical theatre is hugely about vocal skill, it works best when conveying buckets-full of raw emotion – portrayed by the performer and felt by the audience. In a full-length musical theatre show, there is time to build up the pace and emotional manipulation of the audience, but when doing a variety-concert style show, the performers have to go from zero to full-throttle emotion in a matter of minutes to set the tone and reach the finale. It becomes a huge emotional ask for all concerned. Von Memerty and Rootenberg understand this dynamic completely and can move seamlessly from comedy to pathos, from tender to melancholy, from spiritual to frivolous in a blink of a light.

The skills of both performers are exemplary – Rootenberg with his wry frame and vocal gymnastics; and Von Memerty with his easy moves and skill on the piano – both perform with the utmost reverence, but never losing the twinkle in their eyes.

They share easy banter, self-deprecating anecdotes, slightly naff jokes and understated camp. They perform on a bare stage, with an elegant grand piano – jointly used by Ian and the likeable Shaun Smith. Great lighting and a wall of fairy-lights which constantly change colour, guide the mood.

Memorable pieces are Von Memerty doing Mr Bojangles – which he admits it is his signature piece. Dressed in basic blacks with a snug bowler hat, he reminds us of his gracious ability as a dancer. Matching the pathos is Rootenberg’s clever transformation in the poignant Mascara. Big show stopping numbers are Rootenberg’s clever ambidextrous Barcelona – with a fabulously clever costume, he morphs from Freddy Mercury to the ball gowned, auburn-haired soprano – performing and singing both roles virtually simultaneously.

Von Memerty treated us to his by now legendary Supersonic South African history. A 15 minute gallop through our country’s past with clever music and delicious choreography: we visit the Lion King; Impi; Pata-Pata; Special Star; Gold finger and Circle of Life.

Also on the musical menu are Mac the Knife; Elton John’s Crocodile Rock and Billy Joel’s Baby Grand. Rootenberg does a fun audience-pleasing medley loosely looking at the inane music of boy bands and ending up getting the audience to sing along to Abba!

The mood shifts before interval when Rootenberg (later joined by Von Memerty) sing some profoundly beautiful Hebrew secular and spiritual songs.

Ian Von Memerty and Rory Rootenberg are controlled, contained, and consummate professionals – oozing charm which stops short of schmaltz, they easily entertain for a two hour programme. The audience on opening night gave a lengthy unanimous standing ovation and hearty applause.

The Best of Ian and Rory runs until June 28. Book at Computicket. - Charlotte Fairfax