Production photography by Matt Deller.
AT LAST – THE ETTA JAMES STORY saw its world premiere in 2013 and since then has played to packed theatres throughout Australia and New Zealand. Having recently completed a sell-out season at Arts Centre Melbourne the show came to the Sydney Opera House, for just one week.
Starring the sensational Vika Bull the show tells the story of soul legend Etta James turbulent life and features some of her most beloved songs including Tell Mama, It’s A Man’s World, I’d Rather Go Blind, her iconic signature song At Last and many more.
Vika puts her heart and soul into this unforgettable show and is joined on stage by The Essential R&B Band – seven talented, multi-instrumentalist musicians. At times their enthusiasm and the sound system encroached a little on Vika’s message.
On the night I went, the lighting lagged just behind the narrators as they moved forward to reveal another peak or trough in her tale. The backdrop of a few black and white period photographs, whilst appropriate, was a bit stagnant. More changes and a few more scenes in the backdrops may have added interest.
The arrangement of songs interspersed with narration flowed well, with the relatively low-key end of the two Acts being sealed by Vika’s high energy encore.
Etta’s story is an engrossing one. During a long career she won six Grammy Awards and a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame. Etta James influenced a vast array of artists from Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, The Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, to Amy Winehouse and Adele. Sadly, her frantic recording and touring schedule coincided with her ever-growing addiction problems including doing time in jail. She not only sang the blues…she lived the blues.
Mercifully, her passion for life and strength of character saw her conquer her demons and she continued to record and perform into her seventies. This is her story. The night ended with Vika receiving a standing ovation. I am sure she will have others, as Etta herself frequently enjoyed, over many decades of performing.