(Pic by Sharon Watters)
A fantastic festive celebration of rock music. Review by Keith Millar
Silly Season Showdown, which is currently on at Durban’s
Rhumbelow Theatre, is a fantastic festive celebration of rock music.
It features
guitar wizard and vocalist Barry Thomson and Friends. The friends are
keyboardist extraordinaire Dawn Selby, bass guru Jason Andrew, the talented and
versatile Andy Turrell on drums and the vivacious firecracker Marion Loudon on
vocals.
Displaying
extraordinary energy, fabulous synergy and top rate musicianship, they create a
bit of magic on the stage as they perform hit tunes from the various tribute
shows presented by The Reals over the years, along with a sprinkling of
Christmas music. Such as Santa Baby, Have
Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Jingle Bells
Rock and of course the finish off with a sing-along of We Wish You A Merry Christmas.
There is also
a hilarious version of The Twelve Days Of
Christmas with very different lyrics which includes items such as Droëwors,
Ouma’s Rusks, Boerie Rolls, an imitation of the World Rugby Cup Trophy and, to
top it all off, the eye popping sight of Jason Andrew dressed only in a South
African flag speedo (ala Faf De Klerk).
But it is with
the rock music from the tribute shows that the group really excelled. None more
so than their Woodstock segment where Marion Loudon performs her show-stopping
version of Janis Joplin’s Me And Billy
McGee. I have heard her perform this on several occasions and I will never
tire of it. It is simply superb.
Also from
Woodstock was a moving and emotional rendition by Barry Thompson of Joe
Cocker’s A Little Help From My Friends.
These two may
have been my highlights - but in this show the hits just keep coming. From The
Eagles there is Take It Easy, from
the British Invasion is The Beatles Twist
and Shout, The Rolling Stones Start
Me Up and Can’t Get Enough Of Your
Love by Bad Company.
Also in the
first half Dawn Selby pays a fine tribute to recently passed Roxette singer, Marie
Fredriksson with Dressed for Success.
After
interval, amongst others, we heard Barry Thomsen’s excellent version of Stevie
Ray Vaughn’s Pride and Joy from the
show Guitar Legends, Go Your Own Way and Don’t Stop from Fleetwood Mac and Hold On Tight from The Travelling Wilburys.
Also on the
programme is a song which for me epitomises the spirit of this show. That is
Monty Python star Eric Idle’s Bright Side
Of Life. It is a show filled with good fun and some serious rock music and
which puts smile on the face and leaves you feeling pretty good about things. I
highly recommend it!
Silly Season Showdown has two more performances. Today at
14h00 and on December 24 (Christmas Eve) at 18h30. But don’t despair if you
can’t make these dates. The same show, sans the Christmas music but with a few
other additions, will be back under the title of Beat It - 2019 at the Rhumbelow at Tina’s Hotel in Kloof from December
27 to 31. The Sunday show will be at 14h00 and the New Year’s Eve one will
start at 21h00 and run to midnight.
But don’t
delay because tickets are selling fast.
Tickets R150
pp. (except for Tuesday 31st which will be R350 a ticket – snacks, streamers
& party hats will be provided on the tables and champagne at midnight.)
Book at Computicket or contact Roland on 082 499 8636 or
email roland@stansell.co.za http://events.durbantheatre.com
Bring food picnic baskets. Bar available (no alcohol may be
brought on to the premises) Limited secure parking available. – Keith Millar
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