(Left: Kyle
Matthews)
If you don’t have any Irish blood in you,
you will by the end of this show! (Review by Barry Meehan)
Since the opening of the new Barnyard
Theatre at the Suncoast Casino, patrons have been treated to some truly
outstanding shows, such as Big Top Rock
and Rhythm of the Night. The current
production, Celtic Rock, certainly
falls into the same category as it smoothly transitions its way through all
forms of music emanating from the Emerald Isle, from traditional pub
sing-alongs through the music of Riverdance,
coupled with more modern chart-toppers from the likes of U2, The Corrs, Van
Morrison, Chris de Burgh, The Cranberries and the Commitments, amongst others.
Kyle Matthews acts as MC for the show,
under the guise of an Irish pub owner, and manages to sustain a pretty
acceptable Irish accent throughout the show.
Joining him on vocals are Ray
Oberholzer and Zoey Townsend, both seasoned vocalists with a great stage
presence. But it is the band that really stands out and keeps the Barnyard
rocking for the two-hour performance.
(Right: Mduduzi
Kumalo)
Musical director Callie Thomson shines on
keyboards and backing vocals and keeps a tight rein on the proceedings as she
moves the show along at a great pace, never allowing her fellow musicians to
falter for even one second. Kristo Zondagh on drums, Nathan Machent on bass,
Mduduzi Kumalo on saxophone and penny whistle, David Kid on violin and acoustic
guitar, and Callie’s husband, the legendary Barry Thomson on lead guitar, are
all outstanding musicians in their own right, but together they create a true
powerhouse team, very obviously enjoying their time on stage.
The first half of the show features some
excellent Irish medleys, along with hits from Van Morrison – Gloria, Have I told You Lately, and Brown Eyed Girl, classics from U2 – Sunday, Bloody Sunday, Pride in the Name of
Love and One with a rousing rendition of the Chris de Burgh hit Don’t Pay the Ferryman to bring the half
to an end. My only disappointment in this half was Danny Boy, sung well enough by Matthews, but lacking in the genuine
depth of feeling so sorely needed for a classic song such as this.
That aside, the second half carries on in
the same vein as the first, with Christmas
in Killarney (The Irish Rovers) Try a
Little Tenderness, In the Midnight Hour, I Can’t Stand the Rain and Treat Her Right (The Commitments) Linger and Zombie (The Cranberries), and Alive
and Kicking and Don’t Forget About Me
(Simple Minds).
(Kristo Zondagh & David
Kid)
After this, however, the show suddenly
kicks into another gear as the band comes to the fore with an incredible
rendition of Parisienne Walkways
(Gary Moore) featuring Barry Thomson on guitar and vocals, River Dance, an incredible drum solo by Zondagh, then a quirky jam
session with Duelling Banjos on
guitar and violin with Barry Thomson and David Kid excelling, Turkey In The Straw and more!
If you don’t have any Irish blood in you,
you will by the end of this show! The music in this show is so entertaining
that you’re bound to develop a little bit of Irish ancestry, finding yourself
joining in with gusto during the sing-along numbers. Who can help being
involved in the finale Ireland’s Call
(The Irish Rugby Anthem) along with the encores Wild Rover, The Leaving of Liverpool and I’m Gonna Be (500 miles)?
Altogether, this is a superb show, which
deserves to be well attended. Get there and get your Celtic rock on! – Barry
Meehan
"Celtic
Rock" runs until July 21, 2019, at the Barnyard
Theatre, Suncoast. Bookings on 031 940 0500. For more information visit https://www.barnyardtheatre.co.za/show.aspx?sid=996
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