(Pic: Mark Banks)Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre transformed into a dazzling hand clapping Disco Den by Port Elizabeth's Centrestage. (Review by Maurice Kort)
After the previous visits to Durban by the powerhouse band Centrestage in sold out performances of The Magnificent 7 No 2 at the Elizabeth Sneddon in 2007 and the equally popular Elvis Centrestage! at the Playhouse Drama in 2008, they are back in Durban to transform the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre into a dazzling Disco Den with all the attendant lighting effects and encouraged-handclapping by both performers and the very enthusiastic audience, ending in a standing ovation at the end of the thoroughly enjoyable entertainment by a very polished and professional cast of 12, excluding the participation of the well-known and very popular comedian Mark Banks who has a large following.
Backed by versatile band members comprising no less than three keyboards and three guitars, as well as trumpets, sax and trombone and a drummer, some of whom also perform vocals, the main singers are Wayne Kallis, Donna Africa, Lani Botha, Melvyn Matthews and musical director Donovan Hattingh. The music of the 80's is well represented by hits of many artists, such as Duran Duran, Eurythmics, A-HA, Talking Heads, Wham, John Cougar, Mellencamp, the Boss (Bruce Springsteen), Madonna, Tina Turner, Huey Lewis, Cindy Lauper, Blondie, Bob Marley, George Michael, Michael Jackson and many others.
As Wayne Kallis expounds - the clothes and music of the 80's are represented "warts and all". Indeed, by the use of simple costume changes and the odd wig, the singers are expertly transformed into the singers of the various numbers, with their distinctive styles suitably portrayed. The hits follow smoothly in rapid succession and expect to be thoroughly entertained by Billy Jean, I'm Your Venus, the Duran Duran hit Wild Boys, a very good Count On Me, a show stopping Time After Time (with Lani Botha as Cindy Lauper), Like a Virgin and What's Love Got to Do With It (Donna Africa as Madonna and Tina Turner, respectively), a very energetic rendition of Heart of America and the Bob Marley hit Life Goes On.
The highlight for me was the rendition of One Night in Bangkok from the musical Chess which started off the second half after the interval, followed by 99 Red Balloons, Total Eclipse of the Heart, Call Me, and Diamonds on the Soles of Your Shoes - smoothly introduced by Mark Banks who made his periodic appearances to entertain and amuse. Also well presented were Get Me Home Joanna, Simply the Best and Glory Days (Wayne Kallis as the Boss) with Melvyn Matthews making a good Michael Jackson.
Mark Bank’s appearances fitted smoothly into the show and were thoroughly enjoyed. However, I found much of his material all too familiar from his previous shows and he tended to scream far too much. He has, nevertheless, a huge following and with ‘the gift of hind-sight’ and his irreverent wit he recalled the decade of the crazy 80’s, appropriate to the show. He has mercifully cleaned up his act completely with no four-letter words and he never picked on members of the audience. Predictably Mike Suttcliffe and Julius Malema came in for some very good natured, and most amusing, bashing.
The lighting design is in the ever reliable and capable hands of Michael Broderick. Adding further visual splendour, should this be even remotely desired, are no less than six small video screens interspersed among the band with their constantly changing visuals.
This polished, professional production is bound to play to packed houses, it certainly deserves to as the theatre rocks and the audience swings. The Crazy 80's Centrestage! runs until April 4 at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre. This will be followed by further shows by Centrestage - The Magnificent 70s and The Magnificent 7 I and II between April 7 and 17. Booking is at Computicket and ticket prices start at R95. For more information see www.centrestage.co.za - Maurice Kort
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