On Friday the 13th which would normally cast a feeling of concern, I was happily able to put any superstitious concerns out of my mind and to chat with the three wonderful people who were in Tassie this weekend with the Dusty Springfield and Cliff Richard tribute show ‘Cliff and Dusty’. Touring with them is the young English singer promoted by Sir Cliff Richard himself, Barratt Waugh.
Sheena Crouch who portrays Dusty in this show has researched her character meticulously in books and CDs, a particular book which went through Dusty’s discography track by track informed Sheena greatly. Sheena has also studied up on ‘Dusty’ trivia and mannerisms which she has been able to incorporate into her act. Sheena takes us through many of Dusty’s hit songs such as ‘I only want to be with you’, exploring Dusty’s playful prankster personality as well as the sadder times as Dusty learnt to cope with fame and stardom. We also learn about the influence of Motown on Dusty’s music. The beautiful (and most luxurious) blonde wig completes the picture.
Sheena has a solid background in musical theatre, having toured with productions such as ‘Jesus Christ Superstar‘, ‘South Pacific’ and ‘The Witches of Eastwick’ where she played the character portrayed by Cher in the movie of the same name.
One unbelievable fact Sheena and later Marty point out to me is that although Cliff and Dusty were given the title of ‘King and Queen’ of pop they didn’t actually work together although they most probably crossed paths from time to time.
The premise of ‘Cliff and Dusty’ takes advantage of that fact, and gives us the King and Queen of pop together as they never were in real life and the possibility they might come together for a duet perhaps? It’s a very tantalising idea.
Marty Rhone is Cliff in the production. Unlike Sheila his is not an impersonation, although he does dress like Cliff and use his dance moves rocking us through the impressive catalogue of songs and it‘s an energetic performance that would please the ‘Peter Pan of Pop’ himself. Marty’s voice also has an uncanny resemblance to Sir Cliff.
Marty’s career spans over 45 years with performances in the US, UK and Asia as a musician, musical theatre actor, not to mention he’s appeared on most Australian entertainment TV shows and then some, and his name is well known to audiences judging by the excited ladies in the front row at the Hobart concert on Saturday night. Every time Marty danced down to that side of the stage they held up and swayed a treasured record of Marty’s.
What a Renaissance man Marty is. From his early beginnings signed to Frank Packer’s ‘Spin Records’ along with other famous alumni like the Bee Gees, to being chosen as a 17 year old fresh faced innocent to tour with the Rolling Stones. Marty said it was an eye opening experience for one so young!
The eye opening continued as Marty starred in Theatre performances at the London palladium in ‘The King and I’ with Yul Brynner and Virginia McKenna to audiences which included a list of notables such as Princess Grace, Robert De Niro and ironically Sir Cliff himself. Marty jokes that Sir Cliff saw him perform long before he saw Sir Cliff in concert. That happened last year when Marty went to see Cliff in Sydney as part of Cliff’s Australian tour.
Marty’s resume becomes even more eclectic when it also lists him acting alongside Pamela Stephenson, now Mrs Billy Connelly, and writing the original score for La Mandragola, which required Marty to purchase a lute, best defined as a medieval guitar.
Marty has been involved in a number of record making events including the only solo performer to perform at Cleveland’s ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum. Many U.S. states including New York and Boston had vied for the rights to have this museum but Cleveland won. Marty was also involved in the opening of the Sydney Entertainment centre with Peter Allen, John Denver and Christopher Cross.
In May 2003 Marty was inducted into the walk of fame in Queensland. It bears more than a little resemblance to the Hollywood star tradition of plaques placed on a walkway.
I would like to thank Marty, Sheena and Barratt for being generous with their time and wish them well on their present tour and beyond.
If you haven’t caught the show as yet here are their upcoming dates
Show Comments
Comments (0)