By Kundai Marunya
Following sold out shows in Los Angeles, United States in 2011 and 2012, Coming Together: a Beatles Cabaret is set to grace Reps Theatre tomorrow evening.
The show which will run until 18 July, is conceived and directed by renowned US theatre practitioner, James Carey.
The play comes with a rich cast including popular musician and actress Kudzi Sevenzo, renowned actor Alex Fairlie, Liza Maano and AneUnhu Gwatidzo. It will see the audience reliving the Beatles music
In an interview with Spiked Lifestyle, Carey said, “This is not 4 guys in bad wigs pretending to be the Beatles, it is four singer/actors performing a cabaret of Lennon/McCartney music for your enjoyment”
Instead of the usual tribute bands playing Beatles music, Carey centered the play on a love story of two couples. “The play starts with new love at the honey moon stage, then comes the fights, then break ups, a period of loneliness and yearning for the former lover then getting back together. All this is done with no verbal dialogue but music,” he said.
Songs like All You Need Is Love, Yesterday, and Come Together (title track) are among the 30 songs Carey uses to tell the love story. “We are not using all original Beatles arrangement but those by other artists and our own mixes,” he added.
The idea of the cabaret was conceived out of love of Beatles music and wanting to creatively keep alive the group’s legacy. “I did not grow up around Beatles music; my parents didn’t like their music so back then I didn’t pay much attention but later in life when I was introduced to it I completely fell in love,” said Carey.
Carey has been coming to Zimbabwe on different projects for the past four years. Last year he was in the country as part of the National Institute of Allied Arts (NIAA) Speeche and Drama Eisteddfod. “I have a great affection for the country and the people are amazing. I will keep on coming whenever opportunity presents itself,” said Carey.
James Carey is a lecturer and the New York Film Academy Los Angeles Campus. He runs the ATTIC Theatre in US.
For more information on the play or ticket prices visit www.facebook.com /Coming Together, A Beatles Cabaret