‘Alchemy of Rock’ is a welcome package of distraction in troubled times

ALCHEMY OF ROCK

DIRECTORS: Ash Searle, Vanessa Harris

CAST: Ash and Brad Searle, Vanessa Harris, Lucy Tops, Liam McDermott, Hannah Hishin

VENUE: Kalk Bay Theatre, until June 2

RATING: ★★★✩✩

KALK Bay Theatre’s petite space vibrates under the percussive assault of rock rhythms as hits of the late 20th century are performed by the ever-energetic Searle brothers and Vanessa Harris, alongside vocalists Lucy Tops, Liam McDermott and Hannah Hishin. The voices of the sextet are pleasingly combined, with Tops’ strong, sweet tones complemented by Hishin’s darker, smokier delivery.

McDermott’s performances go from strength to strength each time he appears in Followspot Production shows, and this time around he excels in, among others, numbers like Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Have You

Ever Seen the Rain? (the ironic relevance of which is not lost in drought-stricken Cape Town).

The programme is interlarded with the usual touches of Followspot humour, some innocent, some full of innuendo but stopping short of vulgarity, and the range of rock music is considerable, from the Beatles to Guns N Roses, Dire Straits and Kiss to Roxette, and of course Eric Clapton. Unlike FP’s recent offerings, which are noticeably well crafted, this show has a more aleatory, random character, giving an impression of spontaneity. The upside is a joyous abandon in keeping with the directors’ stated intention; the downside is a lack of structure detrimental to artistry. Among the merits of Alchemy

of Rock are imaginative period costumes in punk rock style, all black against a vividly-lit set glittering with rows of CDs. The relentless pace generated by the cast’s collective energy infects the audience – so much so that an invitation to join the performers stomping on the stage after the show is met with alacrity and enthusiasm. Participation only ceases when there is no space left for more rockers to enter the fray.

Also commendable is the brevity of hits on the programme: shorter excerpts allow for a wider range of inclusions and a greater likelihood of gratifying more tastes, while projecting the names of groups on the backdrop screen is useful information for patrons too old to know hits of the 1990s or too young to be familiar with those of the 1970.

What is missed is more of those athletic dance moves for which the trio of Harris and the Searle brothers are famous.

All in all, this evening of rock music delivers fun and frivolity, a welcome package of distraction in troubled times.