THE SOUND OF HIS MUSIC

(Anthony Stonier)

Elegant and engaging cabaret style show. (Review by Keith Millar)

Anthony Stonier is a veteran of over 25 years in the entertainment industry and he brings all his experience to bear in his elegant and engaging cabaret style show, The Sound of His Music, which can be seen until Sunday at the Seabrooke’s Theatre at Durban High School.

The production features the music of Richard Rodgers, one of the most famous and prolific composers of the 20^th century. He and his partner, lyricist Oscar Hammerstein, were responsible for some of the most memorable musicals of all time such as South Pacific, The King and I, Oklahoma, Carousel and The Sound Of Music.

His earlier partnership with lyricist Lorenz Hart also produced a plethora of wonderful music as they collaborated in no fewer than 30 musical productions.

In The Sound of His Music, Anthony Stonier takes his audience on a nostalgic journey down memory lane as he performs a selection of this remarkable music.

Stonier, who is an audience favourite in Durban’s annual adult pantomime, is an accomplished and gifted singer, musical theatre and cabaret artist. He has a velvet voice and displays beautiful phrasing and breath control.

While I feel he is at his best when belting out anthems such as Climb Every Mountain from The Sound of Music and You’ll Never Walk Alone from Carousel, Stonier certainly has the touch and feel to make the most of every nuance of the fairly eclectic choice of music in the show.

Some of the other songs included in the programme are Whistle a Happy Tune, Hello Young Lovers, Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered, Some Enchanted Evening, Oh What a Beautiful Morning, Surrey with The Fringe On Top, The Hills Are Alive and The Lady Is A Tramp.

My preference would have been for solo piano accompaniment for a cabaret style show such as this, but the back-tracks used were rich and sumptuous and certainly played a role in interpreting the music.

Sound and lighting are in the hands of the talented Megan Levy. Her lighting design made the most of the modest set and added to the sophistication of the production.

The Sound of His Music runs at Seabrooke’s Theatre, Durban High School until  June 21.Shows are at 19h30 nightly and on Sunday at 14h00. Tickets R100 (R80 pensioners and students). Bookings through Ailsa / Charlotte of GoingPlacesSA on 083 250 2690.  The entrance to DHS is off St Thomas Road, Essenwood. - Keith Millar