(Rowan Bartlett, Darren
King & Bryan Hiles. Pic by Val Bottomley)
Don’t miss “Knot
Again” if you enjoy well-known numbers presented with entertaining style. (Review
by Caroline Smart)
Bryan Hiles, Darren King and Rowan Bartlett have
appeared in Think Theatre’s annual Shakespeare productions for the past 11
years. About four years ago, they were chatting in the dressing room about how
well they worked together and how it would be a nice idea to pool their skills
and do a show.
They approached Sue Clarence, director of the Hilton
Arts Festival, about presenting something at the Hilton Arts Festival and the
first of the highly successful and entertaining series about life in Las Vegas
was born.
Titled Tie a
Knot in It, they went on to create Tie
Another Knot in It and Get Knotted
and the latest in the series, Knot Again,
is currently running at the Rhumbelow Theatre in Durban. All the shows have appeared
at the Hilton Arts Festival and at Rhumbelow – either at the Durban venue or at
Tina’s Hotel in Kloof.
The joy of this production is that it shows the
extensive talents of song, drama, comedy and dance (especially King who is a trained
dancer) of three highly professional and popular performers. They really
impressed movement-wise in a hoedown sequence.
The threesome decided to do something different with Knot Again –still focusing on Las Vegas
but this time they feature more on the performers who have played there.
The first half of the show is set but the second half
is the surprise. Each table is given a list of some 33 numbers and asked to
choose their top ten. These lists are then evaluated in the interval and the
final ten choices are presented – all kudos to well-known actress Clare
Mortimer who is in charge of the backing tracks! So you could see a different
show every night!
There is much banter, upstaging and casual chat which
includes fascinating information on some of the stars – particularly those who changed
their name. In less capable hands, some of the chit-chat could appear to be
self-indulgent but then this tight-knit trio will perform either a group or solo
number which shows their individual artistic excellence.
(Bryan Hiles, Rowan
Bartlett & Darren King. Pic by Val Bottomley)
It’s a busy stage with a number of props included
three huge feathered head-dresses (acknowledged as the well-known Durban trio,
The Glitter Girls) but costume changes mainly stick to hats, wigs and beards. Bartlett’s
most hilarious appearance was in a wild white curly wig and hanging boobs
representing Dolly Parton.
They explain that they like to do things differently
and they bring their own interpretations, tempo and feeling to songs that we
have become accustomed to in their original style. Their harmonies are
excellent and numbers that were memorable for me were those sung with much
feeling and passion such as The Rose,
Bobby McGee (Bartlett); Summertime
(King) and Dock of the Bay (Hiles).
The number that most impressed me was An American Trilogy in which Bartlett
really showed his vocal strength and power as well as the passion that the
number requires. In response to shouts for encore, the trio did a beautiful a capella version of Hallelujah.
Don’t miss Knot
Again if you enjoy well-known numbers presented with entertaining style.
The next show is tomorrow at Rhumbelow Durban at 14h00. There are further
performances next weekend at the same venue (September 27 to 29, 2019, with
performances on Friday at Saturday at 20h00 and on Sunday at 14h00. (Venue
opens 90 minutes before show for picnics & drinks)
Tickets R150 (R130 pensioners, students with a valid
student card and tables of eight or more – discounts for the first week only).
Take along food picnic baskets. Braais will be
available and food is available to purchase at the venue. 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 – Caroline Smart
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