(Andy
Turrell, Adrian
Wilson, Barry Thomson, Marion Loudon & Dawn Selby)
(Pic by Barry Meehan)
Christmas
Crackers is a fabulous show with an abundance of superb
music. Just what is needed to lift the spirits during this festive season.
(Review by Keith Millar)
'Tis
the season to be jolly!
Well,
one way to get into the spirit of things would be to visit Durban’s Rhumbelow
Theatre and join in in the hugely entertaining, flat-out rock ‘n roll party
that is Christmas Crackers.
It
features guitar supremo Barry Thomson and Friends who perform a selection of
songs taken from The Reals popular Tribute Shows such as Woodstock, Fleetwood Mac, Dire Straits and The Eagles. It is a veritable ‘best of….’. There is also an
assortment of well-loved Christmas music.
Thomson’s
“Friends” for the production are all out of the top drawer. The ebullient,
vivacious and super-talented singer Marion Loudon is at her brilliant best, while
Dawn Selby, who is also the Musical Director of the show, displays all her
usual virtuoso skills at the keyboards and on vocals.
They
are supported by the laid-back Andy Turrell on bass and Rhumbelow newcomer,
Adrian Wilson on drums.
The
show starts with Thomson playing an electric guitar version Ode To Joy from Beethoven’s 9th
Symphony. It sets the tone for his superlative work on the guitar throughout
the production. His guitar solos are uniformly gob-smacking.
This
is followed by John Lennon’s So This is Christmas,
probably the best of the Christmas songs on offer. So, let’s get the Christmas
music out of the way and then concentrate on the important stuff.
Interspersed
through the show are songs such as Rocking
Around The Christmas Tree, Jingle Bell Rock, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
and a saucy Marion Loudon, dressed in a sexy red mini, doing justice to Aretha
Kitt’s Santa Baby.
These
songs, along with a stage bedecked in tinsel set the Christmas atmosphere for
the show, which is in essence a wonderful celebration of rock music.
The
late great Stevie Ray Vaughn’s The House
Is Rockin’ is followed by the Monkees’ I’m a Believer – a song written by Neil Diamond.
Then
comes the highpoint of the entire show. Four songs from The Reals’ Tribute to Woodstock. It comprised of
Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi (They Paved Paradise and Put in a Parking Lot),
A fabulous version of Janis Joplin’s A
Piece Of My Heart by Dawn Selby and Barry Thomson stirring performance of
Joe Cockers With a Little Help From My
Friends.
But
the best was the rousing performance of Joplin’s Me and Bobby McGee by Marion Loudon. What more can be said about
this consummate entertainer. Back in her comfort zone after her rather iffy
production, The Fabulous 4, she is
absolutely magnificent. She expends enough energy in her performance to make
inroads into South Africa’s power shedding problems.
Also
heard in the first half are Fleetwood Mac’s Go
Your Own Way and Don’t Stop.
There
was also a guest performance by a young 14 year-old singer, Faslyn Naidoo, who
showed surprising maturity and confidence standing alongside the professional
musicians as she performed two big songs, The Eagles Desperado and Hotel
California.
(Andy Turrell. Pic by Barry Meehan)
The
second half of the show kicks off with a surprise. The multi-talented, over two-metre
tall, Andy Turrell dressed in a kilt marches from the rear of the theatre
playing the bagpipes. A real fun moment.
The
show then carries on with the likes of Queen’s Tie Your Mama Down, Dawn Selby invoking the spirit of Mama Cass
with the Mammas and Pappas’ Dream a
Little Dream Of Me, Dire Straits’ Money
For Nothing, The Eagles’ Take it Easy,
Led Zeppelin’s Rock and Roll (Dawn
Selby belting out it on vocals) and, to ring the curtain down, Chuck Berry’s
great rocker Johnny B Good.
For
good measure, Thompson throws in a couple of light-hearted songs during the
course of the show. Eric Idle’s The
Bright Side of Life and Bobby McFerrin’s Don't Worry, Be Happy.
Christmas Crackers is a fabulous show with an
abundance of superb music. Just what is needed to lift the spirits during this
festive season. Support local artists and don’t miss this superior production.
Performances take place at the Durban
Rhumbelow Theatre in Cunningham Road (off Bartle) in Umbilo from December 14 to
24 with shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 20h00 and on Sundays at 14h00. On
Monday December 17 there will be a show at 14h00 and on the 24th at 18h30.
(Venue opens 90 minutes before show for drinks)
Tickets R150 (R130 pensioners, students
with a valid student card and tables of eight or more). Family Pack Pricing
(R300 for two adults and two children free). Discounts apply 1st week ONLY.
Take along food picnic baskets. Braais will
be available. There is limited secure parking and booking is essential. A cash
bar is available (no alcohol may be brought on to the premises). Rhumbelow
Durban is situated at 42 Cunningham Road off Bartle Road in Umbilo.
Booking is through Computicket or contact
Roland on 082 499 8636, email roland@stansell.za.net (also for group booking discounts
of 20 or more) or visit http://events.durbantheatre.com
– Keith Millar
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