Stage: ’90s Mania (The Total ‘90s Party) – Barnyard Theatre, Suncoast Casino, Durban
– The show runs until June 8 –
REVIEW BY BILLY SUTER
EVERYTHING from pop, rock, instrumentals and hip-hop to ballads and cheesy singalongs will be found in this latest party showband entertainment which, again under the musical direction of resident keyboardist and backing vocalist Calli Thomson, is booked in at this Suncoast Casino venue until June 8.
And good news is that we have 10 tickets to give away to any performance, subject to availability. To enter the competition see details at the end of this post.
Getting back to the show, ’90s Mania (The Total ’90s Party)… my guests and I would have liked more rock and a little less of the obligatory staples – if I hear I Will Always Love You one more time at The Barnyard I think am going to scream – but it’s understandable that the programme has to have the broadest possible appeal and highlight the biggest commercial hits. There remains sufficient colour and variety here to offer something for everyone, and most in the audience at a recent Sunday matinee seemed more than happy.
Lighting design and backdrops – everything from video out-takes and album covers to graphics – are top-notch as always, although costuming, curiously, is a little on the dull side this time around in a show that opens well with a delivery of Robbie Williams’s Let Me Entertain You and then slides into the chorus of 2 Unlimited’s pulsing No Limits.
The show skips along at a breezy pace and has the Barnyard’s resident band on good form – bearded Jason Kylen on lead guitar, an animated Bongani Sokhela on bass, Andy Makins on drums and, of course, Calli Thomson on keyboards. Lead vocals are by ever-dependable regular Josh Philander, diminutive livewire Cole Adams and, also acting as MC, tall and cheerful Joe Zacheus, who likes to go under the name Joe4Real these days. Female vocalists are by bubbly performers Robyn Ivey and Candice Kennedy.
Appearing solo and in various combinations, the team covers hits associated with, among others, Mike and the Mechanics, Shania Twain, Haddaway, Cher, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, Mango Groove, Celine Dion and Genesis. We also get a welcome blast of Lenny Kravitz that showcases Kylen’s guitar skills, which are highlighted again in a standout medley of famous guitar moments from the ’90s.
I also enjoyed the male trio in the show’s reggae sequence; Zacheus’s delivery of Santana’s Smooth, Kennedy’s renditions of two Alanis Morrissette songs (complete with her on harmonica); and a very nice version of Joan Osborne’s One of Us. Also fun are the performances of Bon Jovi’s It’s My Life, Ricky Martin’s She Bangs and Spice Girls’ Wannabe. Of note, too, are the crowd-pleasing I Like to Move it and Hey Baby that come towards the end of the second half and get the audience up on its feet.
Among other songs on the programme are such novelties as Men in Black, Mambo No 5, The Macarena and Achy Breaky Heart, which were lapped up by the majority of the capacity crowd.
For further details, or to book for this production, contact the theatre at (031) 940 0500.
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WIN SHOW TICKETS… WIN SHOW TICKETS… WIN SHOW TICKETS
Care to put yourself in line to win 10 TICKETS to attend any performance of ’90s Mania (The Total ’90s Party), subject to availability, at Durban’s Barnyard Theatre, Suncoast Casino, until June 8?
You simply have to be a follower of the SoSuterBill site to win. At no cost.
If you are not already a follower, click on the word ‘…..SoSuterBill…..’ that appears under Billy Suter’s face on the red curtain at the top of this post. Next, scroll down a little and leave your email address in the blank space alongside the ‘Subscribe Free’ banner. You will then be a follower, and receive email notification whenever a new story is filed on the site.
Once you have subscribed (there is no cost), send your NAME and PHONE NUMBER via email (NOT THIS SITE’S CONTACT FORM) to sosuterbill@gmail.com and place the words “90s MANIA GIVEAWAY” in the subject field.
Note that the competition closes at 6pm on Wednesday, April 30, and the lucky winner of the 10 tickets will be contacted soon after. His/her name will be posted in this spot thereafter. (The lucky winner of 10 tickets is Frances Olivier).
Also note that tickets may not be exchanged for another performance and that the prize is for tickets only (not travel and/or accommodation should this prove necessary).
NOTE: PLEASE READ ENTRY DETAILS CAREFULLY AS SOME PEOPLE ARE ENTERING COMPETITIONS INCORRECTLY.
ALSO NOTE THAT ONLY ONE ENTRY PER SUBSCRIBER WILL BE CONSIDERED.
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.....SoSuterBill..... 