The Barnyard Theatre at Gateway is ready to take audiences on a funky, hip and trendy musical journey with The Absolute 80’s. The evening is centred on a school reunion with Bronwyn Evans as host in the role of the headmistress. Anything can happen in this show, so be prepared for the decade that brought you everything from Boy George to Guns N’ Roses to the Eurythmics. This decade produced synth pop bands such as Depeche Mode and A-ha, and rock chick bands with outrageous names like The Bangles! The 80’s was the decade of new technology that saw the launching of MTV, the video machine and the fax machine, and was the era of capitalism when Thatcher and Reagan ruled the world. Then there were the movies with awesome theme songs like Danger Zone, St Elmo’s Fire, Flash Gordon, Xanadu and Ghost Busters - and let’s not forget the TV series Dallas with its dramatic theme song. Looking back at this exciting decade there was also the shock factor in the pop industry with anti-establishment bands like The Clash with Should I Stay Or Should I Go, and the over-the-top Frankie Goes To Hollywood with their supremely controversial Relax!
The Absolute 80’s is a party of note taking audiences back in time where Friends Will Be Friends, and where they will be welcomed to the House Of Fun by crazy fun groups like Madness! South African music is represented by artists like Sipho Hotstix, Brenda Fassie and E-Void with hits like Burn Out, Weekend Special and Taxi Man. The ten-member cast fronted by Ruan Geldenhuys on lead vocals covers a wide range of musical styles from synth pop to rock, and captures the essence and style of the ultimate pop icons and the greatest chart hits of all time.
The Absolute 80’s runs from October 19 to January 9 at The Barnyard Theatre at Gateway. Tickets R120 pp Wednesday to Saturday (R85 pp Tuesday nights and Sunday matinees). Bookings and enquiries on 031 566 3045, or e-mail gateway@barnyardtheatres.co.za or visit www.barnyardtheatres.co.za for more information.