I’m a new experience junkie. Actually, best to qualify that statement. I’m a theatrical new experience junkie. I go to lots of weird little niche places. Maybe it was a theatre in 1902 and is being renewed. Perhaps a bare room with plastic chairs. Even spaces where you need the secret knock to get in. My friends say: let’s go to see MOTOWN at the River Canyon Restaurant in Parramatta. I’m there!
This was a new experience for me. Huge room, all you can eat buffet, Hawaiian, / Polynesian cabaret with firesticks. And MOTOWN reinterpreted by Capri Jackson, Koko D’Vyne and Deblah Morgan, a new show from a new production company, Diva Siva.
Before the bigger than life artists hit the stage, there is a mashup of tunes to get the room in the mood. Hits like ‘Devil with a Blue Dress On’; ‘Please Mr Postman’ gets everyone’s attention before the strapless gold lame dresses hit the stage for ‘The Hustle’. There sure is some deep shoulder action going on during the SISTER ACT medley and everyone is dancing in their seats.
Experience as a singer, dancer, and MC shows and Koko D’Vyne has just the right onstage persona to hold the stage while the others go off to change into their next costume. Aretha Franklin, Donna Summer, the Four Tops, we are told will make an appearance. The crowd claps and cheers. And what a crowd! Multicultural and multi-age the group might be, some celebrating 18th birthdays and wedding anniversaries, but everyone recognises these names. Koko explains that this music means stuff to us. There’s no doof, doof here!
Then Shirley Bassey makes a truncated appearance via Deblah, then a brief Donna Summer via Koko. Next we get a whole song for the first time as Capri interprets Diana Ross’ ‘Tell Me That You Love Me’. Interpretation is the right word. We do hear the original artist on the soundtrack, but this art is not just perfect lip-syncing. It’s the way these performers create a new meaning with their movement.
The way a singer’s body strains and emotes during a song, that is one story. These interpreters have more range of movement and can use their face to effect. They have scope to include sexy wobbles and sashays and audience interaction. They can be literal. Step, tear, rain are easily expressed but the use of hands outstretched or brought in close to the body, turned and floated is not far from mime in its ability to enthrall. And this audience was.
The other enthralling aspect is the costumes. No-one can wear a sparkle like a drag artist. Spangles and clashing colours and lots of changes. This was a first outing for the show and the costumes did cause them some problems. Professionals that they are, no-one is coming out without being fully primped, wigged and shoed so there were a few uncomfortable silences. Unfortunately when the playlist audio got messed up, the whole thing went custard.
Anyone who has ever stepped on a stage has a horror story so I felt for them. But the relationship with audience was there and they were supportive and understanding. And Boy! That trio pulled it together at the end with Tina Turner’s ‘Proud Mary’ and a traditional Broadway finale of ‘Spread the Love ‘ from SISTER ACT.
It took me by surprise how much I enjoyed watching people enjoy themselves. And they did. I had fun too and I look forward to seeing MOTOWN in its next, less tech plagued, outing which I am told will be in May.
For more about Motown: Diva Siva Productions, visit http://www.rivercanyon.com.au/