Any night’s alright for your song
HONKY CATS: A TRIBUTE TO ELTON JOHN
CAST: Ian von Memerty and the Centre Stage Band VENUE: Theatre on the Bay, until January 27 RATING:
EBULLIENT and charismatic as ever, pianist/singer Ian von Memerty pounds the keyboard with unflagging stamina throughout this tribute to Sir Elton John, aided and abetted by the sextet of musicians known as the Centre Stage Band (CSB).
Although he asserts that no attempt is made on his part to impersonate the iconic singer/songwriter, he does sport costumes that vividly recall John’s florid taste in dress, as well as outré eyewear.
What he claims to do in this show is to deliver an evening of music characterised by evergreen appeal, either throbbing with emotion or infectiously percussive, and particularly designed to please a generation familiar with this repertoire. Which he does.
Colourful and imaginative lighting helps inject visual interest into a show which, by its nature, is static – with the piano left of centre stage and the band occupying the rest of the performance area; Von Memerty once or twice displays his prowess as a dancer to vary proceedings (and no doubt to stretch his legs), and two of the band-members take up vocals occasionally to give him a break. In the main, however, this is about one man paying homage to another for the best part of two hours in which the only thing that changes – once – is the lead’s attire.
Lovers of John’s music will relish this performance of some of his bestknown and most popular hits: Goodbye to Yellowbrick Road, Daniel, Your Song, Candle in the Wind, Crocodile Rock, and, naturally, Honky Cats, to mention a few.
All are rendered with a pleasing mix of passion, enjoyment and the professionalism of seasoned artists, as Von Memerty’s agile vocal chords and robust projection capture the timbre of the original to perfection.
Other less familiar inclusions have less appeal for the audience and some do come close to outstaying their welcome. But when a medley of ballads is offered, one feels this is the right way to woo an audience, as none of these excerpts is over-long and the massive range of John’s repertoire is economically accommodated. Another plus is the humour which surfaces when Von Memerty gives some background information or when Gino the drummer steps up to do a cheeky impersonation of singer Kiki Dee for Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.
Band and soloist complement one another, with noteworthy contributions from saxophonist Curtis Kettledas, whose instrument eloquently underpins Von Memerty. From the moment the lead, resplendent in a fauxleopard-skin ensemble and red shades, erupts toward the keyboard in the collective throb of instruments from the CSB, one suspects this will not be a quiet evening – with good cause.