(The cast of "The Final Countdown")
The Final Countdown is a musical journey taking audiences at The Barnyard Theatre at Gateway on a wild ride through six decades of fashion, music and rock ’n roll until October 16.
The show blasts off in the 50’s with greased-back hair, ice-cream cones, the roadhouse, stovepipe jeans, milkshakes and music from Elvis, Richie Valens, Bill Haley, Buddy Holly, Shirley Bassey and Connie Francis. Who could forget the birth of rock ‘n roll with hits like Rock Around The Clock, Let’s Twist Again, Fever, La Bamba and Blue Suede Shoes.
The Barnyard is hitting the 50’s in real fine style, as it steams along in Shake, Rattle And Roll mode.
Next, it’s on to the 60’s where audiences are introduced to some of the greatest music of our time presented in a swinging London street scene - Carnaby Street - where anything can happen. The 60’s segment features music from The Beach Boys, Roy Orbison, The Supremes. Expect to hear Twist & Shout, Pretty Woman and Good Vibrations in this nostalgic stretch of the journey which will have audiences rocking and a reeling to the decade when the world was free and the party went on forever!
In the 70’s, the tour moves on to highlight a decade that will musically never be forgotten, featuring everything from rock groups like Boston and Deep Purple, to the disco ear of The Bee Gees, Donna Summer and Le Freak. Think Ballroom Blitz, Freak Out, Hot Stuff, Tragedy and Smoke on the Water. This is a decade that will be remembered for those crazy platform shoes, when mirror balls and disco music soon took the world by storm creating a never-ending party!
The 80’s was the decade of new technology that saw the launching of MTV, the video machine, the fax machine and was the era of capitalism. A vast amount of music was recorded in this decade leaving us with endless possibilities such as Lionel Ritchie’s Dancing on the Ceiling, Depeche Mode’s I Just Can’t Get Enough; the decade’s movie magic in Dirty Dancing and Footloose; and South African sounds with bands like E’Void and Hot Line. The 80’s was a time of fun that produced music and fashion so distinctive to this era.
The 1990’s saw the creation of many diverse scenes in music, but the decade was best known for girl groups like the Spice Girls, boy bands like Boyz II Men, pop bands like Roxette, and South American icons like Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin. The 90’s was a daring and innovative decade and produced music that we will always cherish and remember. Who could forget anthems like I’m Too Sexy For My Shirt, She’s Got The Look, End of the Road and Livin’ La Vida Loca?
Lastly, The Final Countdown arrives in the new millennium which sees a different world where computer technology is controlling our every move, but the music still lives on. Girls in rock have become a dominant force with artists like Christina Aguilera ruling the airwaves. The pop and rock scene is still alive and kicking with the likes of the Black Eyed Peas, Mika and Kid Rock. The new millennium cannot be paid tribute to without remembering 2010 with Waka Waka.
Leading this musical journey are Andrew Webster, Granville Michaels, Ruan Geldenhuys, Cassandra de Beer, Megan Carlese and Janine Cupido on vocals; while the band is made up of Neil Schoeman (guitar), Rainer Jadischke (keyboards), Karl Hering (bass guitar), Dylan van der Linde (drums) and Kirsty Madgin (saxophone).
Tickets R125 pp Wednesday to Saturday (R90 pp discounted specials Tuesday night and Sunday matinees). Bookings and enquiries on 031 566 3045, e-mail gateway@barnyardtheatres.co.za or visit www.barnyardtheatres.co.za for more information.
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