(Helena Hettema)
(Review from the
artSMart team covering the 2014 Witness Hilton Arts
Festival which ran at Hilton College from September 19 to 21)
Enjoyable show filled with memorable music. – Keith Millar
Cabaret artist Helena Hettema was an audience favourite at the Witness
Hilton Arts Festival with the selection of well-loved music she performed in
her show, Piaf, Other French Legends and a Touch of Me. An interesting
title as many of the artists featured, such as Jacques Brel, Leonard Cohen,
Marlene Dietrich and Bette Milder, are not French.
However, it mattered not at all because it was all beautiful music and
besides there were enough French heartthrobs on the programme to lend the proceedings
an unmistakeable air of romance.
Leading the pack was the music of the wonderful Edith Piaf. Hettema
does not resemble Piaf physically but she does a good job with the voice,
including the trade mark vibrato. Included were the only two songs Piaf wrote
herself, La Vie en Rose, Hymnéá Ľamouras well as the timeless Non,
je ne Rigrette Rien.
Other music from French artists featured on the programme included
Charles Aznavour’s She and Gilbert Becaud’s What Now My Love.
Although Jacques Brel was born in Belgium, he lived and worked in Paris
and in many ways was more French than a Frenchman. Hettema was impressive as
she sang his songs Pardons, Seasons In the Sun and Marique
Marie with passion and sensitivity.
The Touch of Me part of the title referred to Hettema’s own
songs which she performed in the show. These included Divided Heart and Quasi
Quasi Blu.
Music from non-French artists included Its Wonderful by Paolo
Conte, Suzanne by Leonard Cohen, Streets of London by Ralph
McTell, Lily Marlene by Marlene Dietrich and The Rose by Bette
Midler.
Helena Hettema has a pleasing voice which is strong, passionate and
deep. Her interpretation of the music in her show was very pleasing. She does
however employ a little too much vibrato when singing songs other than those of
Edith Piaf. In true cabaret style she circles amongst her audience while
singing and chats personably to them between songs.
All in all, this was an enjoyable show filled with memorable music
which was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience in the Art Block at Hilton
College. – Keith Millar
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