(Rob
Warren)
Rob
Warren’s One-Man Show has one more performance
tonight (January 18, 2020) at Rhumbelow Tina’s, Beryldene Road, Kloof.
Apparently Rob Warren, one of the founder
members of Durban-based group The Black Lapels, has been wanting to do a solo
show for a while, and there were no objections from the other band members,
which shows their complete faith in his abilities. The band is well-known for
their compilation shows presented mainly at the Rhumbelow Theatres in and
around Durban, with standouts being their Johnny Cash and CCR tributes, and the
band members, along with guest artists who have performed with them, were all
present to support their front-line man on his opening night.
It obviously takes huge faith in one’s own
abilities to want to stand up alone on stage and perform for an audience when
one is normally backed by the excellent musicians that comprise The Black Lapels.
Warren obviously has that faith, and is indeed a consummate performer in his
own right. To some, creating a solo show could be seen as somewhat
self-indulgent, but that is the nature of the beast.
Warren is a very skilled performer,
however, and gave his audience two hours of music in an introspective journey
through his musical career, including songs that have made an impact in his
life or brought back memories, especially of his formative years. A very good
friend of mine at our table said that the feel of the show reminded him of
long-gone smoky nights in folk and blues clubs in Durban, such as The Totem,
and (showing our age) I found myself agreeing with him.
There’s not really much point in detailing
the play-list of the show, even though there was one, because Warren could –
and did – change it at will. I suppose the only people affected by the changes
were the sound and lighting crew, (and maybe those reviewing the show) but the
technical people coped very well with Warren’s whims as the show progressed. If
you’re thinking of attending the show – and you should – don’t take the songs
he performed on opening night as a given, because they could change at any
time.
While Warren shows us his vulnerable side
with numbers like the Crowded House’s World
Where You Live, Hurt (the last song recorded by Johnny Cash), Never Believe In Never, Sting’s It’s Probably Me and his own composition
Danger, I believe he was at his best
halfway through the second half when he let rip with his best numbers from the
Johnny Cash tribute show – Man In Black, A Boy Named Sue, Ring of Fire and I
Walk The Line. The Simon and Garfunkel classic Mrs Robinson popped up halfway through the sequence, but it tied in
with the feel of the show at the time. So just as the show was building up to
what I thought was going to be a rousing climax, next came the Crowded House
number Nails In My Feet, which was a
bit of a downer at that point. Fortunately, it got back on track with Johnny
Clegg’s Scatterlings of Africa and
ended with All or Nothing.
Well, it should have ended with All or Nothing, but with the family,
friend and fan-based opening night audience screaming for more, Warren gave us
an unplanned Message In A Bottle and Hotel California, which in my humble
opinion, were not quite relevant encore numbers, even though Hotel California really demonstrated his
guitar skills.
All in all, Rob Warren’s One-Man Show was very entertaining, but I believe that
it could have done with a bit of professional direction, especially as regards
the structure of the show and the theatricality thereof. In-jokes directed at
family and friends should be avoided, as they tend to leave the rest of the
audience in the dark, and the old adage “Always leave an audience shouting for
more” should have been brought into play, rather than having him page through
his songbook, searching for an encore. Minor quibbles aside, Warren has an
obvious talent and is a skilled musician. Hats off to him for his first solo
show. May he and The Black Lapels go from strength to strength.
Tonight’s performance is at 20h00. (The
theatre venue opens 90 minutes before show for drinks) Tickets R160 (R140
pensioners and students with a valid student card) and tables seat 8. (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 8 or more) on 082 499 8636 or
email: roland@stansell.za.net or visit http://events.durbantheatre.com/
(Patrons are welcome to book for dinner or
lunch at Tina's Restaurant before the show: Call 031 764 7843 to book)
Tina’s Hotel is situated at 14 Beryldene
Road in Kloof. – Barry Meehan
Rob
Warren’s One-Man Show comes to Rhumbelow Durban in
Umbilo from February 21 to 23, 2020.
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