THE SHADOW OF BREL

Consummate profession makes welcome return to Rhumbelow. (Review by Maurice Kort)

Godfrey Johnson makes a very welcome return to the Rhumbelow Theatre after his visit last year in October with Flirting with Coward which I unfortunately missed as I was overseas. This time it is with The Shadow of Brel, the timeless and ever-popular songs of Jacques Brel, not in their original French but in the more comprehensible English translations. They however lose none of their appeal and Godfrey Johnson certainly does them proud. Jacque Brel was a legend; a composer and a singer of talent and charisma who took his audiences to a world of pain and joy. Godfrey Johnson won the Fleur du Cap award for Best Performance in a Cabaret for his arrangements and accompaniment of Claire Watling in Kissed by Brel and it is understandable why as he presents this solo production.

It is no mean feat for a performer to sing the songs while accompanying himself on the piano and hold the audience completely spellbound. Other than the singing and the piano, one did not hear a movement, a rustle or a cough in the audience until the most gratifying applause after each number. Godfrey Johnson has a most endearing stage presence as he delivers many of the well-known popular Brel songs such as the opening Amsterdam, Mathilde, Next, Jacky, Brussles, If You Go Away and the show stopping Carousel. There are also the lesser-known, but equally touching The Lockman, See a Friend in Tears and Fanette. In all, 16 songs are covered. Fans of Jacques Brel will most certainly not be disappointed and Godfrey Johnson might win many more from the uninitiated.

The audience is advised that after the first half of the show, which would last about 70 minutes, in fact it was more like a bonus 85 minutes, and an interval, Godfrey Johnson would return with lighter fare. This is indeed the case with a complete reversal of mood. Godfrey then sparkles with the very funny Masculine / Feminine, Shattered Illusions and his own take on He Had it Coming from Chicago while, remaining faithful to the original - one doesn't meddle with perfection. Other delights in the second half are a reprisal of Senorina Nina from Argentina from his previous show Flirting with Coward, Fever and a captivating rendition of Minute Waltz, amongst other offerings, including his own composition The Lady in Blue.

Consummate professional that he is, Godfrey does not milk his audience for applause, a most endearing aspect of the show. He doesn't have to - the applause is given most willingly.

The show is directed by Sanjin Muftic, produced by Yawazzi Theatre Productions and presented by the Rhumbelow Theatre. It can be seen at this intimate venue in Bartle Rd on 4 and 5 at 20h00 and on June 6 at 14h00 and 18h30, the first performances having been on the same days of the previous weekend. The venue opens 90 minutes before the shows for a picnic meal with braai facilities being available. As there is a bar available, no alcohol may be brought onto the premises. Booking (R100 a ticket) is essential at Computicket or phone Roland on 031 205 7602 or 082 499 8636 or email roland@stansell.za.net or visit www.rhumbelow.za.net – Maurice Kort