(Aaron as Vijay as Freddie Mercury with
Lisa and Jane and Liam. Pic by Val Adamson)
This is no ordinary “best of” tribute
type show, instead Retro Fest captures the nostalgia of music festivals through
a series of easily identifiable characters which any of us who have attended
music festivals can easily recognise. (Review by Charlotte
Fairfax)
Retro Fest is running at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, UKZN: until November 17.
The preview audience of Retro Fest may well be a tad hoarse and slightly achy this morning after a couple of hours of pelting out familiar song lyrics and boogying in the aisles last night. Hell, we were clapping and singing before the houselights were even dimmed and the front curtain was barely off the floorboards. How can you not, if being egged on by the best in the business, exuding more energy than the week’s lighting storms.
In fact, their manic wardrobe (and wig) choices alone were enough to set the tone long before the opening bars of music could be heard.
For a couple of hours, the drama of the US elections, and crazy weather and the collapsed Twini bridge were forgotten, as the eager crowd got ready to party, party, party!
Hats off to two of the city’s best husband and wife creative combos. Teaming MacBob (Lisa Bobbert and Aaron McIlroy) with Veranda Panda (Liam and Jane Magner) was inspired. Macbob was front and centre with the comedy and characters, with Liam providing awesome mixes and mashups, and Jane owning the stage in her killer heels and sexy electric violin.
This is no ordinary “best of” tribute type show, instead Retro Fest captures the nostalgia of music festivals through a series of easily identifiable characters which any of us who have attended music festivals can easily recognise: the crystal-healing, tree hugging, gluten intolerant festival hippie talking the language of dance; the Crackling Rose fest groupie, drinking her wine straight out of the bottle, through a looong straw wearing short shorts and regaling drunken memories; the long-haired, cowboy-hat-wearing festival host reminiscing about the early days; the musical Mexicans – Ricky and Martin - with faux moustaches, bad accents and a worse sense of direction; the crass Australian wearing the (absolutely fabulous) dinosaur suit, and of course our much loved familiar MacBob characters, Bruce and Charmaine, with Vijay doing a turn as Freddie Mercury.
The set is simple – three podium stages, a well-lit central screen showing fun festival clips and trippy disco-era Austin Powers inspired backdrop loops. Liam and his mixing decks, occupied centre stage throughout.
Of course, festivals are memorable and era-defining because of their music. The playlist celebrates fabulous artists – from Bangles to Bee Gees; from Boney M to Bananarama; from Abba to Eagles; from Yazoo to Queen … and even Kate Bush does a turn.
The choice of music was spot on, further enhanced by Liam’s masterful mixing and Sneddon Theatre director, Jackie Cunniffe’s great sound. The songs were all familiar and were linked in interesting combos. Many of them had a subtle contemporary edge, a slightly more pronounced beat, a freshness to them which made them pop.
Highlights were Jane’s poignant Hotel California – singing and playing violin; Lisa as Kate Bush, and Aaron being outperformed by his dinosaur suit. You don’t often get to hear Jane sing, nor see Liam dance, for that matter. The choreography is courtesy of Daisy Spencer.
The gags are laugh-out-loud funny – I loved watching Liam react to the comedy action rolling out in-front of him, and the audience’s response to it all.
There is a concession stand to buy glow sticks and festival tat. And many in the audience dressed up – I saw a Smith’s T-Shirt, plenty of tie-dye and vellies. It is certainly a great excuse to get out your vintage gear and get into the festival vibe. Except this time, you are sitting in comfy chairs, the toilets flush and you can go home to shower and sleep in your own bed when it’s all over. My kinda jorl! Charlotte Fairfax
Retro Fest runs at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre on UKZN campus until November 17. Book at Webtickets
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