i GET THE MUSIC IN YOU

Music teacher extraordinaire, Jan van de Stool

‘I get the music in you’, one of the two shows currently playing at the Ensemble Theatre, is a vehicle to showcase the considerable talents of one of our leading music theatre artists, Queenie Van De Zandt.

Van de Zandt devised the show, along with colleague, veteran actor and writer, Tony Taylor. They built the show around De Zandt playing a fully fleshed out new character, eccentric New Age Dutch music therapist and teacher, Jan Van De Stool.

Jan van de Stool comes on stage to tell us that she is in the local scout hall, and a senior judo session has just finished! We witness her intensive one night music workshop with her students, including giving voice lessons, telling anecdotes, delivering put-downs and bits of her own philosophy, teaching students about their chakras, and telling some strange jokes.

Opening night went down well! A supportive audience was with Queenie all the way through her Act and gave her a standing ovation when one of the most bizarre music workshops ever undertaken came to a close.

The verdict was that Taylor and Queenie had a show with a winning recipe. The show’s features were the central oddball character that people could easily laugh at, Queenie’s warm, easy going stage presence and flair for ironic comedy, and plenty of playful interactions with the audience. Everyone enjoys poking fun at less than talented singers, and Queenie does some scathing renditions, when she becomes a few of de Stool’s thankless students.An extra treat was that Queenie, at times, did ‘play straight’ and show off her powerful voice.

(c) David Kary

15th August, 2006