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Sunday, September 23, 2018

BREL, COWARD & ME


(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