(Samantha Landers, Shylo Pereira & Evan
Roberts )
Be sure not to miss this highly
entertaining and charming show. (Review by Keith Millar)
In November last year, I was fortunate
enough to see the fabulous singers Samantha Landers and Shylo Pereira, backed
by maestro Evan Roberts on the piano, in a show titled That’s Life, at the Durban Rhumbelow Theatre.
In my review of the show, I commented that
it was one of the best productions I have ever seen at a Rhumbelow Theatre (artSMart
November 17, 2018)
So it was with a real sense of anticipation
and excitement that I attended the trio’s latest show, The Carpenters, at the Rhumbelow at Tina’s Hotel in Kloof.
I mean what more could one ask for? These
supremely talented musicians on stage again and - to make it all more exciting -
performing the timeless music of one of the greatest duos of all time, the
Carpenters.
Was I disappointed? Not at all. While the
production may not have been as sophisticated and as glamorous as That’s Life, its gentle, uncomplicated
presentation was perfectly in keeping with the beautifully melodic, easy
listening and pure music of the Carpenters.
Seated on bar stools, the two gorgeous gals
(as Evan Roberts referred to them) - and with Roberts himself alongside at the
piano - deliver wonderful interpretations of many of the songs made famous by
the iconic Carpenters duo. In the process, they proved once again that they are
blessed with two of the most exquisite, passionate and soulful voices in the Durban music scene.
The show kicks off with Shylo Pereira
singing We’ve Only Just Begun. And
that is only the beginning as she and Landers then take it in turns to perform
the likes of There’s a Kind Of Hush,
Superstar, For All We Know, It’s Going To Take Some Time, I Won’t Last A Day
Without You, The Masquerade, The Rainbow Connection and Can’t Smile without You.
All these were delivered with consummate
skill and elegance and with, at times, spine-tingling harmonies.
Evan Roberts had his turn with an emotional
version of Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
while a humorous version of Close to You
was sung with an attempt to use more realistic lyrics and then a Durban Indian
version before Pereira delivered the original with panache.
The second half included hits such as Only Yesterday, Rainy Days and Mondays,
Yesterday Once More, Goodbye To Love (Evan Roberts once more), A Ticket To Ride (a Carpenters cover of
the Beatles song) and Sweet Sweet Smile.
A highlight of the show for me was Landers
singing the Carpenters version of the Eagles’ song Desperado and Pereira delivering Neil Sedaka’s Solitaire, both from their 1975 album Horizon. These songs were presented back to back performed with
huge passion, emotion and soul. A memorable performance.
As an encore the trio sang a medley which
included Mr Postman, Jambalaya, Top of
the World and Sing a Song.
While The
Carpenters show is mostly about the music, there are light-hearted moments
when the trio offer amusing quips and observations based on Valentine’s Day
(Ho-Hum) and the introspective lyrics of the songs focused mostly around
relationships - as well as the fact that February is supposedly the month of
love.
The
Carpenters is a fresh, very well presented, and
professional production. The trio of Evan Roberts, Samantha Landers and Shylo
Pereira have a good thing going and let’s hope that this is not the last
production we will see from these talented performers.
In the meantime be sure not to miss this
highly entertaining and charming show at the Rhumbelow Theatre at Tina’s Hotel
in Kloof.
The
Carpenters - Valentine Celebration runs at Tina’s
Hotel until February 24, 2019, with shows from Wednesdays to Sundays.
Performance times: Wednesdays to Saturdays at 20h00 and Sundays 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. – Keith Millar
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