LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVAL REVIEWS FESTIVAL MUSIC
PETER STRAKER’S BREL Belgian chanteur Brel’s life explored in song, costumes and storytelling ●●●●●
Jamaica born Peter Strakel has been involved in British TV, music, and theatre for decades – he’s been in Doctor Who, collaborated with Freddie Mercury and starred in Hair and Phantom of the Opera amongst other things. In this latest show however, he pays trib- ute to the influential Belgian singer-songwriter Jaques Brel.
Not only covering Brel’s songs – ‘Amsterdam’, ‘Jacky’, ‘If You Go Away’ and more – Strakel gives the audience a glimpse into the musician’s life. He
immerses himself in the character, using costume, props and lightning to give a more theatrical perfor- mance, plus video and audio clips as well as telling his own stories about Brel. Straker gives a powerful and energetic performance
which the audience enthusiastically responded to. Although most likely to appeal to Brel enthusiasts or fans of Straker himself, it would be easy for someone with a knowledge of neither to enjoy the show, as the songs are likeable and catchy and Straker is a talented performer. (Sophie Stephenson) ■ Assembly Hall, 623 3030, until 26 Aug (not 20), 6pm, £13-£14 (£12-£13).
THE MAKROPULOS CASE Dark opera staging about eternal youth ●●●●● HEY, PIANO BAR LADY! Musical comedy taking it back to 80s New York via New Zealand ●●●●●
In the world of scientific research, the quest for the secret to eternal youth continues, but it’s actually not that easy being 337 years old. Emilia Marty, opera diva and main character here, is stuck with it after her father experimented on her, and now needs his secret formula if she is to stay alive. With numerous long-lost children dotted around the globe and emotionally dead, eternal youth isn’t looking that attractive, but her knowledge from years back is use- ful for settling the legal case with which the opera opens. Only Emilia, aka Ellian MacGregor, Eugenia Montez and, originally, Elina Makropulos, knows the truth of a contested inheritance. In Tom Cairns’ highly effective, dark staging of this remarkable piece, Ylva Kihlberg is a compelling Emilia. Glamorous and elegant, she is cool, detached and a bit scary. Only as she approaches death do her vulnerability and true emotional state emerge, perfectly paced by an all- round excellent cast. Under conductor Richard Farnes, the orchestra of Opera North are highly charged in drawing out the drama and tension of Janacek’s extraordinarily powerful score. (Carol Main) ■ Festival Theatre, Sat 11 Aug (run now finished).
Kiwi singer Linn Lorkin is perched at her keyboard, tousled red hair and billowing patchwork dress suggesting she’s quite the eccentric dame. Now in its second year at the Fringe, her one-woman biographical show is a collage of songs and stories of bygone days in 80s New York. Delivered simply – half monologue, half musical – the absorbing tale begins with chivalrous companions and inter- national sofa surfing. An imagined piano bar audience are put in place for the
exquisitely delivered musical numbers, voice either colloquial Kiwi chatter or honeyed chords. She sings of scones and writing songs, the new pea-green down coat which kept her afloat and being a mole, in a hole. She jives through her repertoire – ‘caterwauling’ ‘Memories’ from Cats and tales of learning languages, getting a green card, marriage, divorce and writing a musical. A love letter to a life filled with adventure, this manages to be funny and poignant, Lorkin exuding the timelessness of a brilliant performer. (Jo Bell) ■ Space Cabaret @54, 557 6309, until 25 Aug (not 20), 2pm, £6 (£5).
16–23 Aug 2012 THE LIST 63