I may have been the only person in the audience who did not know that Darren Percival had the illustrious honour of becoming ‘runner up’ in 2012’s version of reality TV show ‘The Voice’. Then again, judging by the disparity in ages in the filled-to-capacity Dunstan Playhouse, it appears that many people simply wanted to see the late, great Ray Charles’ music brought to life on an Adelaide stage.
Whatever the reasons for attending the show, Darren Percival and his band of dads certainly delivered. Percival’s amiability shone off the stage and enhanced a fabulous stage presence, which had everybody – young and old – bopping along in the aisles in next to no time.
Despite using all of the traditional stage performer’s gags to endear him to the audience – including adapting ‘Song for You’ to an Adelaide crowd and – very sweetly – dancing cheek to cheek with a lucky front row audience member to ‘Georgia on my Mind’ – Percival’s show never seemed tacky or cliched.
Including all of the greatest hits, including an impressive sing-along to ‘Hit the Road Jack’ and a rousing rendition of ‘Shake a Tail Feather’, as well as Ray Charles’ more emotive songs including ‘You don’t Know me’ and ‘Drown in My Own Tears’ ,the best way to describe this show is with one word – FUN.
The only problem was that we couldn’t keep twisting the night away with Mr Percival and his brilliant friends. A great way to kick off my Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2013 season.
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