A Handful of Keys is all about the piano (or pianos, as there are two of them).
James Smith and Roelof Colyn set the scene and lay the foundation, showing their mastery of their craft, by opening with a rendition of the Sting and a Jazz piece. They then quickly display their ability to perform in a variety of styles by playing in the modes of Bach, Beethoven,Chopin, Mozart, Debussy, etc., etc., etc.
Always interspersed with repartee and wit, the range of times and artist, from Fats Waller, through to Stevie Wonder, Adele, Alica Keys and Elton. The highlights were perhaps Liberace, the South African medley and ‘A brief history musicals in 12 minutes‘.
The Rock and Roll finale, with closure being Billy Joel’s ‘Piano Man’, was a fitting end to an enjoyable evening.
If you are a piano person and into some clean, harmless entertainment, this is for you – but the 50s generation in the audience seemed to derive the most enjoyment. Perhaps it was the nostalgia of ‘seeing’ Liberace again.
A Handful of Keys is only showing in Durban until Sunday 19th November @ the Isizulu Theatre, Sibaya! If you have yet to get your tickets click here.
