A festive feast of chart-toppers
STRICTLY No 1s, the year-end show at Gateway’s Barnyard Theatre, is a perfectly packaged production for the fast approaching festive season.
As the name suggests, the show consists only of chart-toppers, and there are more than 50 hits from the last six decades.
Jonathan Taylor is the genial host who links the well thought-out grouping of songs. The show starts with an Elvis medley. There is a quick change in tempo as Marvin Nethononda delivers Hello Dolly, the timeless classic that saw Louis Armstrong become the oldest male vocalist with a number one billboard hit.
Then, Caelee Vercueil has the audience eating out of the palm of her hand for fine delivery of Cher’s Believe. The fun grouping of Rock Around The Clock, Don’t Worry Be Happy and Kung Fu Fighting is a winner.
A standout moment is when Lee Paver and Josh Ansley come together for All For Love, a classic hit from the movie The Three Musketeers. This is followed by a sizzling performance by Durban’s own Jae Green who performs Beyoncé’s Crazy In Love, with Paver doing the Jay-Z portion, in the duet segment.
The second half opens with Nut Rock from the ballet Nutcracker and from this point on the hits flow. Strictly No 1s ends on the perfect note with the Michael Jackson’s Thriller and The Beatles’ Hey Jude.
The five vocalists are backed up by a band consisting of Calli Thomson (keyboards), Jethro Stange (guitar), Mark Freel (bass guitar) and the Dylan van der Linde (drums).
The showruns until 5 January, with extra lunchtime shows scheduled, as well as performances on Christmas and New Year’s Eves. For bookings or enquiries call 031 566 3045 or e-mail gateway@barnyardtheatres.co.za
