Stunning Jacques Brel hits the high notes

Peter Feldman
02/18/2010 13:55:11



Peter Feldman: "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris" is a perennial favourite.

It has been staged in South Africa over the years in a variety of forms, though very few ever managed to attain the status of Taubie Kushlick's early, innovative productions at the old Chelsea Theatre in Hillbrow.

Directors Colin Law and Dean Roberts have based this production on the 2006 Off-Broadway show. It has been resurrected for a new generation and though the feel is modern and meaningful it still retains the essence of Brel with brilliant clarity.

The songs, as many know, are all dramatic monologues that cannot simply be sung, but need to be acted out by a cast of superior performers.

In British singer Chrissy Caine, who has returned to these climes after a long absence, veteran Graham Clarke, and newcomers David Chevers and Daneel Uys, they have assembled a superb, integrated cast which invests Brel's special magic with the sensitivity and understanding it demands. Backed by a faultless group, under the musical direction of DuPreez Strauss, this foursome hardly falter as they interpret a famous songbook that represents Brel's many acute observations and myriad emotions. It is all there in the body language with the performers immersing themselves in the songs to stunning effect.

Over the years I've endured many variations of the Jacques Brel theme, but the combination on stage at this presentation constitutes one of the best I've seen. There is something like 26 songs in the show. These are literate, thoughtful and theatrical numbers and are given the full vocal treatment by a polished and stylish team. Many of my favourites were nicely highlighted and helped trigger memories of the ‘70s when Brel first became known to audiences in this part of the world.

One of my best is "Ne Me Quitte Pas," a wistful song, with its alternating happy and sad lyrics, which became a pop standard for so many international singers, was sensitively handled by the impressive Daneel Uys. She also showed her range with the mix of " I Loved," "My Death," "Timid Frieda," "Girls and Dogs" and the popular "Carousel."

Graham Clarke's handling of "Fanette" ""Amsterdam," "Funeral Tango" and "Sons of Lovers" showed his versatile streak, while the imposing David Chevers took complete control of the whore song "Next" and "The Bulls." Chrissy Caine has always been a class act and her renditions of "Le Diable," "My Childhood" and "The Old Folks" struck deep within the soul.

This version of "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well" certainly struck a warmly responsive chord within this reviewer, a feeling of which I really haven't had too much of lately.


"Jacques Brel is Alive and Well" is on at the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square, Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton, until March 13.