Sparkling Brel has new spunk and appeal

Leon van Nierop
02/18/2010 11:47:34





Leon van Nierop: Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris has been re-invented and re-energised.

The show has a long and interesting history. It debuted in New York in the late sixties in Greenwich Village and was seen by hundreds of thousands of people over its 4-year run. It was then staged in South Africa by the legendary Taubie Kushlick at the Chelsea Theatre in Hillbrow with, amongst others, Laurika Rauch and Danielle Pascal and ran for close on 20 years.

This time around the show is based on the 2006 Off-Broadway New York production with new arrangements of songs by the phenomenally successful and talented musical director DuPreez Strauss, definitely one of the stars of this sparkling production.

Strauss has succeeded in reinventing and re-energising the show and giving it new spunk and appeal. One of the stars of the show is, without a doubt, Chrissie Caine. She has returned to South Africa from the UK to join the local cast and livens up the stage with her spunky and deeply felt renditions of some of Brel's most beloved songs. Mention must also be made of David Chevers's fine voice and vocal rendition. He has a great stage presence and complements the lyrics with his soulful and inspiring performances and self-confidence.

This is a stirring and successful production that was unfortunately marred by sound problems on the opening night, especially with Chevers's microphone. One can just hope that these problems will be sorted out during the run.

So if you like Brel, you might find yourself captivated and moved by this professional and imaginative production.


Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris
With Chrissie Caine, Graham Clarke, David Chevers and Daneel Uys
Directed by Colin Law and Dean Roberts
At the Old Mutual theatre on the Square till 13 March 2010