Review
Cabaret is an intriguing form of entertainment, one with limitations, most often there are very few performers involved, but also few boundaries – allowing artists to traverse across genres and styles. After a series of high profile performers like Chita Rivera, Paul Capsis and Rhonda Burchmore upstairs at His Majesties the cabaret season has moved downstairs into the more intimate underground bar.
Last night local singer and actress Rhoda Lopez took to the stage with simple backing from pianist Tim Cunniffe and drummer, brother Ronald Lopez. Lopez’s show Hakuna Matata – No Worries is built around the feel good songs that put the spring in the step of this effervescent performer. Dressed in bright yellow Lopez took to the stage like a dazzling ray of sunshine. The show had the tone of an old time sing along, stuffed with happiness and packed full of perky positivity.
With a heavy dose of Disney, we traversed through The Lion King, Mary Poppins, Lady and the Tramp, Aladdin and Dumbo. There were sections from Les Miserables and Miss Saigon, a show that Lopez was a cast member of. There was a mix of pop songs from The Beatles and Michael Jackson and some more ethnic numbers too. Lopez donned a selection of different costumes and was never short of a prop to help bring a song to life. Lopez sang, she danced, she tap-danced, she sung in French, she played guitar, she told stories, and it was a whirlwind.
The highlights of the show were Lopez’s recollections of her time as an overseas student, a collection of comical stories in French. A powerful rendition of Jacques Brel’s Amsterdam was mesmerizing and when she whipped through a medley of songs from the Disney baddies – Lopez’s acting skills shone through.
Overall though, this show was a little too long and way too positive. With the audience struggling to match Lopez’s enthusiasm and energy there were some moments that fell flat. On reflection the best part of the show were the parts when Lopez relaxed, moved away from her script and let some darkness through to create shadows with the overwhelmingly light hearted material.
Check this show out and support a great local talent, but next year I really want to see Rhoda Lopez: Good Girl Gone Bad on the bill.
Hakuna Matata – No Worries is on downstairs at The Maj until Saturday 23 July.
Graeme Watson
Find out more about Rhoda from when we put her On the Spot
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