(Pic: Barry Thomson)Great show for Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits fans. (Review by Caroline Smart)
The latest show at the Heritage Theatre in Hillcrest is Brothers in Arms which pays tribute to singer, songwriter and film score composer Mark Knopfler. Acclaimed as one of the world’s truly great guitarists, he is probably best known as lead vocalist and songwriter for the British rock band Dire Straits, which he co-founded in 1977 with his brother David. Dire Straits have sold in excess of 120 million albums to date.
While the music is rock solid, I had a major problem with lack of vocal clarity in the lyrics in most of the introspective numbers but producer Gary McKenzie explained that Barry Thomson is attempting – successfully, I have no doubt - to recreate Knopfler’s style. This poses the question that if you are unfamiliar with Kopfler’s lyrics, as I am, you lose what he’s saying in his songs. Having googled some of the lyrics, he certainly writes lyrics that deserve to be heard. Maybe the mix could be tweaked a bit – or perhaps the lyrics could be printed out. While the show is aimed at Dire Straits and Knopfler fans, don’t forget those new to their work.
Having said all that, it’s a great show. Focusing entirely on the music, it is performed in concert style without any linking patter. Knopfler wrote many songs which were quite dark and depressive but this programme features the more up-tempo ones, such as The Bug (“sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug”!) The show incorporates parts of a fascinating interview between television host Jools Holland and Mark Knopfler which is both amusing and informative, such as the fact that he wrote Romeo and Juliet sitting on the floor of an empty apartment desperately in need of furniture!
Barry Thomson is at his best, either handling a sensitive number or belting out powerful rhythms. He has good support from music director Dawn Selby, fellow vocalist and guitarist Shaun Draght and Lloyd de Gier who impresses in Twisting the Pool, a song Knopfler says “just took a day to record – and it sounds like it!” Mali Sewell on drums also gets to sing with an upbeat Cannibals.
Expect to hear other hits such as Sultans of Swing, Tunnel of Love, Down to the Waterline, Private Investigations, Money for Nothing, Walk of Life, Solid Rock, Calling Elvis and, of course, Brothers in Arms.
This is a good show for all ages, particularly if the youngsters are into good music. There were a number of families in the audience on the night I went, particularly a little girl who was sitting in front of us. She must have been all of six but was having a great time.
The menu is the same as it was for POW: starters being Duo of Bruschetta, Portabella Mushroom Soup and Eish Chicken Livers. Main courses are Linguini Degrandi, Oven Baked Kingklip, Roulade of Chicken and Black Forest Ham and the Heritage’s fine succulent Slow Braised Lamb Shank.
Brothers in Arms runs until July 19. Tickets R190 Wednesday to Saturday (R165 Tuesday dinner and Sunday lunch) include a two-course meal. To book contact the Heritage Theatre on 031 765 4197 or online at www.heritagetheatre.co.za – Caroline Smart
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