Brel

Overview

Jacques Brel has been called the French older brother of Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen. He has rock star status in France but before I heard Silo Theatre Company was creating a cabaret noir musical feast of his songs, I had no idea who he was. Apparently he was a bit of a ladies man, he was quite scathing about his native Belgium and rather than write lyrics to music, he wrote poetry which he later put to music. He was also highly prolific, writing over 300 songs in his relatively short career.

Brel’s songs were designed to be performed, not merely sung. Director Michael Hurst and singers Jon Toogood, Julia Deans, Tama Waipara and Jennifer Ward-Lealand obviously get that. They have done a fabulous job of translating the passion, violence, irony and despair of his music on stage. From the very moving duet Alone featuring Toogood and Deans, to the humour of Girls and Dogs performed by Toogood and Waipara, the ability of these consummate performers brings the songs to life. Amsterdam and Next see Shihad frontman Toogood doing what he does best, rock the house, but he also impresses with his range on the softer songs. Deans, his bandmate in The Adults, is wonderfully sassy on Song for Old Lovers and veteran actress Ward-Leyland gives a particularly haunting performance of Marieke.

The set design seems effortless and yet meticulously thought through and lighting techniques such as the use of a large spotlight add to the intensity of songs. The performers, when not singing, drape themselves luxuriously across 1960s armchairs and chaise-lounges. There are old fashioned floor lamps dotted around the place and a drinks trolley which is regularly made use of. The four of them whether singing solo or in a duet look like they're having a bloody good time.

Brel is quite unique. It’s more than a concert, there’s a definite story being told yet it features no dialogue. It will most certainly make you want to find out more about this eccentric and gifted singer-songwriter. I thought the show was electric. When it ended and everyone leapt to their feet, it was clear the audience thought so too.