(Barry Thompson; Mali Sewell; Dawn Selby, Shaun
Dragt & Jason Andrew)
Very experienced
and talented musicians bring Dire Straits to life at Rhumbelow. (Review by
Keith Millar)
Add together the
superb music of the illustrious British rock group of Dire Straits, the
extraordinary musical skills and talent of Durban’s leading band, The Reals,
and the informality of the Rhumbelow Supper Theatre, and what do you get? Well,
if the opening performance of Tribute to
Dire Straits was anything to go by, you get a serious rock and roll party.
This is a tribute
show out of the top drawer. The Reals perform the music of Dire Straits with
respect, accuracy and passion, transporting the audience back to the 1970’s and
80’s when the group was one of the world’s most commercially successful bands.
Dire Straits was
founded in 1977 by singer/songwriter and guitar genius Mark Knopfler along with
his younger brother David. Their clean guitar-driven style, which shows
influences of jazz, blues and folk, appealed to audiences around the world. In a
career spanning a total of 15 years they became one of the best-selling groups
of all time with over 120 million in album sales. They were also the recipients
of four Grammy Awards, Three Brit awards and two MTV Video Music Awards.
The band’s songs
include Money for Nothing, Brothers in Arms, Sultans of Swing, Private
Investigations, Communiqué, Romeo and Juliet, Telegraph Road, Tunnel of
Love, Solid Rock and Down to the
Waterline.
All these and more
are performed with intensity, flair and skill by the gifted Durban rock group
The Reals. Made up of very experienced and talented musicians they brought Dire
Straits to life on the Rhumbelow stage and had the audience singing, clapping
and stomping along – and by the time the band got to Brothers in Arms – on their feet and dancing up a storm.
The Reals is
fronted by the outstanding Barry Thompson on lead guitar. His affable and
self-deprecating nature belies his enormous talent. When he begins to play, you
realise he is world-class. He could almost be a twin of the great Mark Knopfler.
Dawn Selby is the keyboard player, musical director and leader of The Reals.
She is the quiet force in the background whose guiding hand is always evident
in their performances.
Solid as a rock and
anchoring the group is bassist Jason Andrew, while drummer Mali Sewell reminds
all with this performance why he is known as The God of Thunder. Guest
guitarist for Tribute to Dire Straits
is the impressive Shaun Dragt.
The Rhumbelow
Supper Theatre in Umbilo plays a big part in the success of a production such
as this. The excellent sound and lighting along with the compact stage, and a
full house audience, creates the ambience of a smoky rock and roll club of old.
With this show the
Theatre celebrates its 14th year of existence. This is an impressive
achievement in the often fickle world of performance venues. Big
congratulations to Roland Stansell and his team.
Fans of Dire
Straits, old rockers and, in fact, anyone who enjoys top class classic rock music
entertainment should make every effort to see this show. You may initially not
intend to sing and clap along, but once the music gets
going you will find that you won’t be able to help yourself. This show is,
without doubt, the biggest rock and roll party in town.
Tribute to Dire Straits can be seen at Rhumbelow Theatre until June
21 with shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 20h00 and on Sundays at18h30. Tickets
R120 (R100 pensioners and tables of eight or more for the first weekend).
The venue opens 90 minutes before show for picnic
dinner. Take along food picnic baskets. Braais will be available and there is
limited secure parking and A cash bar is available (no alcohol may be brought
on to the premises). Rhumbelow Durban is situated in Cunningham Avenue off
Bartle Road.
Booking is essential through Computicket or contact
Roland on 082 499 8636, email roland@stansell.za.net or visit
http://events.durbantheatre.com
– Keith Millar
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