(Frank
Graham & Miriam Erasmus)
Lovers of timeless Scottish tunes and great
storytelling should not miss this endearing show. (Review by Mike Raftery)
Anyone of Scottish descent will know that
poet Robert Burns is to Scotland what Shakespeare is to English literature, and
that Burns Night is a celebration of his life and works, traditionally held on
his birthday, January 25.
This is the second year that the Rhumbelow
have offered a “Burns Night” show, presented by two icons of the Durban arts
world – legendary stage and radio actor Frank Graham and the doyenne of Durban
folk music, Miriam (Mim) Erasmus. The show is taking place at Tina’s Hotel in
Kloof.
I remember as a child sitting in the
studios of the SABC in (then) Old Fort Road watching the likes of Tom Meehan,
John Simpson, Roger Service and a somewhat younger Frank Graham create the
comedic characters that entertained us on Springbok radio shows such as The Men From The Ministry and The Navy Lark. Frank's command of a
myriad of voices was impressive then and his mastery of the spoken word has not
diminished.
I met Miriam when we were both involved in
the Durban Folk music scene in the early 90s and was immediately struck by the
incredible crystalline clarity of her voice, in a league of her own when
delivering traditional ballads from across the British Isles. I fell in love
with her rendition of Lord Lankin on
her 1977 record Gypsy Without a Road
on first hearing.
So with these two masters of their craft
the Rhumbelow looked well set for a great Burns Night. Add to the mix six
pipers piping, six drummers drumming and a rainy misty night worthy of a scene
from “the Scottish play” and the recipe was complete. The evening began outside
the theatre with a dramatic display from the Durban Regiment Pipe Band whose
snapping highland snare drums and skirling bagpipes offered a few perennial
favourites including Flower of Scotland,
Amazing Grace and The Keel Row
(even though ownership of the latter wonderful tune is argued between Scotland
and Newcastle-on-Tyne).
The audience then proceeded into the
theatre, where a lone piper serenaded the ceremonial haggis onto the stage
where it was greeted by Frank Graham’s hearty invocation of Robert Burns famous
Address to a Haggis complete with
mouth-watering lines like “Great Chieftain o’ the puddin’ race” and (as he
attacks the haggis with a knife) “ an’ cut you up wi’ ready slicht, trenching
your gushing entrails bricht”. Heady stuff, matched only by the marvellous
haggis itself which John Erasmus expertly carved and served up to an
enthusiastic, and, in some cases, tartan kilted audience.
With the traditional formalities concluded,
the entertainment kicks off with Miriam introducing us to Robert Burns, born in
Alloway, Ayr, Scotland in 1759 to not very successful farming parents, an
inauspicious start for the man who would come to be feted internationally as
the national poet of Scotland. Mim chooses Banks
of Doon (often called Ye Banks and
Braes) to start and it’s a great choice – instantly recognizable with Mim’s
beautiful voicing and immaculate acoustic guitar picking we are immediately in
South West Scotland.
Frank then takes us through the backstory
that lead Burns to write one of his most famous poems To A Mouse which he shares with us. Frank’s impeccable diction,
perfect Scottish accent and sonorous delivery invest Burns’ famous lines with a
dramatic lifeblood that is a complete joy to behold as “the best laid schemes
o’ Mice an’ Men gang aft agley”.
Mim and Frank pass the turns between them,
alternating between songs, humorous stories, sing-a-longs and saucy jokes that
all play to the Burns / Scottish theme. Frank shares a poem by Scotland’s worst
poet to great amusement, and Mim renders a lovely version of Leezie Lindsay which I last heard sung
by Eddie Reader on the wonderful Transatlantic
Sessions TV programme. Frank regales us with tales of Scottish dentists,
Scottish archaeologists, Scottish pancakes and even a random Pole (!) while Mim
has our toes tapping with Marie’s Wedding,
a tune ripe for Gay Gordon ceilidh dancing.
Varying the pace we get gentle love songs (Annie Laurie) and stirring revolutionary
invocations (Ye Jacobites by Name)
although I was sad to hear that “Parcel
of Rogues” had not made the final cut, as it is a personal favourite, both
the versions by Scottish folkie Dick Gaughan and folk-rockers Steeleye Span. Song
selection must have been tough as the Scottish songbook is an abundance of
riches, but credit must be given for a well-balanced set.
Further variety came in the form of the
deep alto tones of Mim’s viola with some “spot the tune” challenges that had us
on our toes, while Frank had us guffawing at Blodwyn and her leek pies. A
rousing rendition of the drunken ballad I
Belong To Glasgow allows Mim and Frank to team up, then some hilarious
McIntosh and McGregor stories from Frank and we’re into a sing-a-long of
favourites like Scottish Soldier and Flower of Scotland. Cleverly, the
production makes use of the large side screen to project the words to these
tunes for an audience that knows the songs and, empowered by the screen
prompts, sings along lustily.
Also included is the gorgeous ballad “Skye Boat Song” about Bonnie Prince
Charlie’s escape to the Isle of Skye. I can attest to Frank’s accurate
description of the Flodigarry Hotel on the Isle of Skye as I have overnighted
there on my travels, being both a lover of things Scottish and an inveterate
Jethro Tull fan. Their Scottish band leader Ian Anderson launched a highly
successful salmon farming operation on the 50,000 acre Strathaird Estate on
Skye that he bought in 1978 when he took up the rural farming life and produced
his three “folk” albums Songs From The
Wood, Heavy Horses and Stormwatch.
But I digress.
Bonnie Prince Charlie features again in the
familiar My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean
complete with complimentary calisthenics exercises courtesy of Mim. Frank’s
military stories of Argentinian war veterans, German officers and English,
Scottish, Irish and Welsh prisoners is a tour-de-force of fast changing but
always impeccable accents, delivered with the consummate timing of the seasoned
comic actor and he has the audience roaring approval. In no time at all we are
on our feet singing the obligatory closer Auld
Lang Syne, perhaps Burns’ most frequently performed song.
Friday’s opening night had a few minor
wobbles and moments where continuity can be tightened but these two
professionals can take pride in a show that bears witness to Frank’s initial
declaration of the impressive delivery of the Scottish nation and its favourite
son.
Lovers of timeless Scottish tunes and great
storytelling should not miss this endearing show. There are two more
performances of Burns Night – today January
26 at 20h00 and tomorrow (January 27) at 14h00. (The theatre venue opens 90
minutes before show for drinks)
Tickets R150 (R130 pensioners and students
with a valid student card) and tables seat 6. Family Pack pricing R300 for two
adults and two children free. (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/
(For Restaurant reservations contact 031 764
7843)
Tina’s Hotel is situated at 14 Beryldene
Road in Kloof. – Mike Raftery
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