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by Louw Mulder
Giles Taylor, Richie Baker, Louw Mulder, Kyle Thompson, Steven Dennett
It is all in name, but a little understated I think. I am referring to the opening production of the Joburg Theatre’s 2016 calender, Queen – It’s a Kinda Magic.
No question about the magic, but more of a magical explosion, taking you to the heart, right in the middle of what you could have experienced from the real band, called Queen.
As seen over the years by Joburg Theatre who brought their productions to South African Theatres, Showtime Management proofed themselves as the world leader in producing imitations of the famous Classics. As with shows from ABBA, the Eagles and The Beatles, this experience of Queen was a huge success.
Peter Freestone, who was Freddie Mercury’s personal assistant, Biographer and friend, said that England-born Giles Taylor, who re-enacts Mercury in this show, delivers the most physically accurate portrayal of Mercury, he has ever seen.
Besides the fact that Giles has Freddie Mercury to a tee, theatre goers who are not familiar with the Mercury-Theatrics, may find Giles’ performance on stage just as magical as is if he was per performing in his own act. This performance include a solid vocal presentation, humour, as well as some pretty effective audience involvement.
Alongside Giles, playing the parts of Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor, were Aussies Richie Baker and Kyle Thompson.
The sheer brilliance of Baker on the lead guitar gave that thrilling goose bumps which is associated with Queen’s music – and this is live, loud and literally awe smacked. Apart from the voice of Mercury, I would say that the casting of a lead guitarist like this was just as important and probably a tall order for the casting agency, but they were spot on in seeing May in Baker.
I would understand that most raves and reviews would compliment Giles’ mirroring of the legend, Freddie Mercury, but one of the top highlights of the night for me, was the drumming performance of Kyle Thompson.
To enthrall a full theatre with a drumming solo at that high energy levels, doesn’t sit in anyone’s drumsticks, but it could be expected from someone playing the drums since the age of three. His efforts putting into his drumming set throughout the whole score, was executed more than 100%. Most of all, it was just an experience watching this crazy blonde Aussie going even crazier behind the drums with each beat, taking the show further.
Steven Dennett as john Deacon in Queen – It’s a Kinda Magic
One of Stage and Screen’s main responsibilities, is to recognize and acknowledge pure SA Talent. Witnessing his performance in Showtime’s Whitney Houston and Elvis Presley shows, it was good to see South African born Steven Dennett once again making an appearance behind the Bass guitar in this production.
Living himself in the shoes of Queen member John Decan, as well as his major degree in playing the bass guitar, Dennett was the perfect final factor that completed the Fantastic Four in this resemblance of the real Queen.
Dennet, as is printed in the show’s official programme souvenir, always rated Decan as one of the best bass players in the world, so with the calibre and class of bass playing I saw during this show, it is only a matter of time before Dennett will be up there with the world’s best bass players himself – and the best is, he is South African.
There is nothing bad to say about the production, even the lighting and sound that will compare to most of the world’s leading touring concerts. It is advisable to remember that there is a lot of flashing lights and strobe effects in the show, and that loud, means loud.
Is this the real life, or is this just fantasy? It’s for you to decide and check it out. Queen- It’s a kinda magic is now on at the Joburg theatre till the 7th of February 2015.
