(Godfrey Johnson)
In a word he was dazzling!
(Review by Keith Millar)
Multi-award winning
singer/pianist Godfrey Johnson is back in Durban, after a hiatus of a few years,
to entertain audiences at the Rhumbelow Theatre, Tina’s Hotel in Kloof.
The accomplished
Johnson performed his revue Brel, Coward
& Me this week-end and next week will present his whacky show, Unhinged, which is filled with musical
madness inspired by Mozart, Bach, Bowie, Beethoven and Madonna.
This consummate
artist is a veteran of over 200 productions and is well known for his originality,
his humour and his proficiency both as a vocalist and as a pianist. With his
performance of Brel, Coward & Me
last night, he certainly did not disappoint and lived up to these attributes,
and then some. In a word he was dazzling!
As the title
suggests, this show is based mostly on the wonderful music of the Belgium
singer/songwriter Jacques Brel
and the incomparable Noel Coward.
With a minimum of
chatter, the audience was treated to beautifully emotive renditions of Brel’s
best, such as Mathilde, Jackie, Amsterdam, If You Go Away, Marieke, Carousel
and, as an encore, Seasons In
The Sun. This to go along with Coward’s brilliant satire in songs such
as Nina from Argentina, Mad Dogs and Englishmen and Don’t Put
Your Daughter On The Stage Mrs Worthington.
To round things off, he also performs a few items from other musical
greats, such as Supertramp’s The Illogical Song, Leonard Cohen’s
masterpiece Hallelujah and Billy Joel’s Piano Man.
Godfrey Johnson is quite magnificent in this production. Alone on the
stage with his piano he radiates charisma and has his audience transfixed from
beginning to end.
He performs with huge integrity, sensitivity and feeling and gives
meaning to the lyrics of the songs.
The subtle lighting design also adds to the atmosphere of this
production.
This is an artist you can see again and again and still be thoroughly
entertained. I strongly recommend that you don’t miss him on his Durban visit.
The final performance of Brel, Coward & Me will take place
at the Rhumbelow Theatre, Tina’s Hotel in Beryldene Road, Kloof at 14h00 today
(September 23, 2018).
Unhinged will be on at
the same venue from Wednesday September 26 to Saturday September 29 at 20h00
and on Sunday September 30 at 4h00.
Tickets R150 (R130
pensioners) and tables seat 6. The
theatre opens an hour before the show for drinks but note that no food is
allowed in the venue. A full cash bar is available. (No alcohol or food
may be brought on to the premises). Tickets are cash or EFT only. Secure parking
is available. Booking is through Computicket or contact Roland (also for large
group booking discounts of 20 or more) on 082 499 8636 or email: roland@stansell.za.net or visit http://events.durbantheatre.com/
Tina’s Hotel is situated at 4 Beryldene
Road in Kloof.
For Restaurant bookings at Tina’s Hotel contact 031 764 7843 – Keith Millar
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