(Pic: Steve Murray and Melissa Chaplin at the back with Andrew Makins, Rob Warren, Bandile Hlope and Garth Warren)Upper Deck pays tribute to a variety of bands that have made their mark on the South African music scene. (Review by Caroline Smart)
When choosing a production for uShaka Marine World’s Upper Deck supper theatre venue, producer Wayne Scott made a conscious decision to focus on the achievements of local bands which may not form part of the local musical presentations for the World Cup Soccer season.
In Born in the RSA, he aims to showcase the work of acclaimed groups such as the Parlotones, Freshly Ground, Just Jinjer and Prime Circle. Basically it’s a concert presented in a theatrically-driven venue with all its technical benefits but the result is an evening of good music reminding us of the calibre of just some of the singers and songwriters this country has produced recently.
The show features the KZN homegrown group, Zafa. Heading the show are impish Rob Warren, he of the riotous curly red hair, and Bandile Hlope. Both Idols finalists, they provide the linking genial banter. Making up the rest of the tight-knit combo are Melissa Chaplin (keyboards), Garth Warren and Steve Murray (both on guitar) and Andrew Makins (drums).
Following its poignant opening number, Bright Blue’s Weeping, it’s a great line-up - expect to hear the top hits of Johnny Clegg and Juluka/Savuka as well as Mango Groove, Marc/Alex, Lucky Dube and, my favourite, Syd Kitchen’s Africa is not for Sissies! One of the most popular items was Die Campbells’ Rooi Rok Bokkie!
The lighting was good and includes numerous appropriate ball-type effects. Ewok’s (aka Iain Robinson) set design is effective and colourful, the two free-standing panels carrying profile images with the backdrop featuring early settler wagons, trains, buses and cars below a dramatic skyline topped by a sky full of musical notes.
The sound was way too strident throughout the show. While the emphasis is strongly on “party-time”, one desperately missed the sensitivity required for numbers such as Paradise Road and Moments Away both sung by Melissa Chaplin, but this is something that hopefully will be adjusted.
In keeping with the homegrown theme of “Born in the RSA”, all clothes worn by the artists are by Durban Designers.
The show kicks off (pun intended!) at 19h00 and includes three sets. It is presented in a far more relaxed format than the usual supper theatre productions and patrons may come for the whole evening or one or all three of the sets. Bar service is uninterrupted.
Born in the RSA runs until July 10 from Thursdays to Saturdays at the Upper Deck on the Phantom Ship at uShaka Marine World. Dinner is served buffet style from 18h00 and show tickets R60 exclude food and beverages. Booking through Computicket. For more information call 031 328 8107. – Caroline Smart
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