In a performance without pretence and with
complete sincerity, Godfrey Johnson allows Brel’s music to do the talking.
(Review by Keith Millar)
Belgian born singer/songwriter Jacques Brel
wrote profound and aching songs of love, death, romance and longing, almost
always with a sense of cynicism. His music influenced many artists as diverse
as David Bowie, Lenard Cohen and Westlife.
Always angst-ridden, tormented and intense
in performance, he lived every nuance of the poetry of his lyrics, and
delivered his songs with great depth of feeling.
It is the work of this remarkable man that
Godfrey Johnson brought to the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown this year
in a one-man revue entitled The Shadow of
Brel.
Altogether, he was involved in three
productions at the Festival this year which included Flirting With Coward and Minnie
and Johnson.
Johnson is a consummate performer. He has
written and performed over 20 musical revue shows during a career which has
seen him appear in all the major centres in the country. He is a very
accomplished pianist and has a strong singing voice. His acting skills allow
him to bring to life legends such as Noel Coward, and of course Jacques Brel.
Alone on stage and sitting in front of a
Bösendorfer Grand Piano, Johnson is able to evoke the spirit of Brel and deliver
a performance of considerable emotional depth and intensity. In a performance
without pretence and with complete sincerity he allows the music to do the
talking and delivers song after song of Brel’s extraordinary music. All of the
best loved Brel compositions are there, including Amsterdam, Matilda, Next, If We Only Had Love, Madeleine, If You Go
Away, Carousel and Marieke.
The
Shadow Of Brel, which is directed by Sanjin Muftic
offers inspired music performed by a very talented and skilled artist.
I defy anyone who sees this show not to
have goose bumps and be deeply moved. – Keith Millar
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