A fabulous production, showing off the glitz and glamour, mirror balls, jumpsuits, and everything 70’s - and with plenty of high tempo hit music - although there are quite a few memorable ballades mixed in. (Review by Keith Millar)
Entertainment at Barnyard Theatres has always been as much about the Party as the music. And boy - do they have something on the go at the Barnyard at the Suncoast Casino at the moment.
Straight from the 1970’s disco era is the show Nite Fever: A 70’s Celebration. And a celebration it is. A fabulous production, showing off the glitz and glamour, mirror balls, jumpsuits, and everything 70’s - and with plenty of high tempo hit music - although there are quite a few memorable ballades mixed in.
The full house audience was carried away with nostalgia and spent most of the production on their feet dancing to the catchy disco beats.
The production is brought to you by a high spirited and energetic cast of eleven. (Although on the night we went, it was a cast of 10 because Savannah de Beer was off sick).
The Barnyard band has been together for a few shows now, and they really have jelled into tight and synergetic group. They feed off each other and keep the excitement at fever pitch.
They are led by the charming and very experienced musical director and keyboard player Callie Thomson. She also provides the backup vocals. On drums is one of the best around, Dylan van der Linde, and the bassist is Bongani Sokhela. Lead guitarist is the excellent Jason Kylen. Adding an extra dimension to the group is the vivacious saxophonist Maxime Mathews.
There were several performances which I felt were highlights, with all the singers taking their turn to shine.
Compere and singer Kyle Mathews I thought did particularly well with Rod Stewart’s You’re in My Heart and was excellent and very funny with Sweet Transvestite from the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Kerry Cherry blew the house down with her stunning and powerful rendition of All by Myself. This was originally sung by Eric Carman but was based on the second movement of Sergei Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No.2.
But back to Kerry Cherry. This young lady has always had the powerhouse pipes. But her development and growth as a performer has been exceptional. She is now a top-class performer who displays presence and confidence on stage. An example of this is that, as mentioned, Savannah de Beer was unfortunately off sick on the night we attended the show. As a result, Cherry had to handle all the female songs by herself. She took this in her stride and produced a performance of note.
The other singers were Themba January who did the Stevie Wonder segment of the show with sensitivity and class. January is the only member of the cast, by the way, who does not hail from Durban. Kudos to Barnyard for supporting local talent.
Final cast member is the spicy and hard-working Rory Booth. A pleasure to see him back on stage.
Guitarist Jason Kylen also pitches on vocals and did an admirable job in a duo with saxophonist Maxime Mathews of Jerry Rafferty’s Baker Street and with Ram Jam’s Black Betty.
The standard Barnyard style choreography which works very well in this party-style production was provided by Drew Mathie.
The show also features music from the likes of The Bee Gees, Donna Summer, John Paul Young, Boney M, Guns n Roses, a medley of Grease numbers, Village People and The Jackson 5.
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