(Robz Millar makes her harmonica debut!)
Enjoyable toe-tapping
evening from company that deserves much encouragement (Review by Caroline
Smart)
Last night was spent in the
company of good friends enjoying a toe-tapping line-up of well-known numbers in
a show titled Radio of Yesterday – A
Blast from the Past. Presented by Spotlight Productions, it features songs
by Billy Joel, ABBA, Shania Twain, Bon Jovi, Oasis, to name a few.
Directed by Sharon Watters,
who also appears in the show, this was the production’s second and final weekend
in the New Germany Sports Club.
The cast included Caeley
van Doorn, who was the leading member of the ensemble, Tyron Cathey, the
diminutive Shonan de Speville, Sharon Ditchburn and guitarist/vocalist Robz
Millar.
Tall and imposing, van
Doorn is a genial entertainer whose movement skills came to the fore. She also
showed her range in Proud Mary by
starting off calmly and then going “rough”! Sexy movements created much
amusement in The Way You Make Me Feel!
Tyron Cathey impressed from
his first song, Hello Dolly, and then
went on to do justice to several numbers including a Buddy Holly medley, Piano Man and 500 Miles.
Shonan de Speville )a cowboy
hat increasing her height!) gave a good rendition of some Country and Western
songs – my favourites were Honey, I’m
Home and That Don’t Impress Me Much”
While mainly in the backing
vocals, Sharon Ditchburn also had her turn to shine and I enjoyed her duo with
Robz Millar. They went on to accompany a hilarious wild redheaded bewigged Cathey
in Brown Eyed Girl, with Millar leading
the lyrics.
A gifted musician and singer,
Robz Millar is an undeniable talent to watch. She uses three guitars in the
show and her solo on the acoustic guitar, Wonder
Wall, was beautifully presented. She also makes her debut on the harmonica
with Cathey in Piano Man.
Watters appeared a few times
in the backing line-up but came into her own with a feisty performance with
Sharon Ditchburn of Bathroom on the Right
(the parody of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Bad Moon Rising)
The venue was tastefully hung
with white drapes which also formed a backdrop to the small stage. Spotlighting
was augmented by disco imagery. I did feel that the stage could have done with
a little more dressing – perhaps a few coloured drapes, hanging stars or music
symbols?
Barring some off-key
glitches and moments when the backing tracks overpowered the performers, the
show was highly enjoyable and the audience loved every moment.
Spotlight Productions deserves
all support in their endeavours. This is not a healthy climate for the arts at
the moment and those who are “getting out there and making it happen” are to be
encouraged. Spotlight will be doing another show later in the year and in the
meantime are involved in a couple of fundraisers. This is an excellent choice
for fundraising entertainment as it appeals to all ages. For more information
contact Sharon on 082 997 0709 or shows@spotlightproductions.co.za
– Caroline Smart
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