A drum, a bass and a piano? Not this particular Friday evening at The Theatre Royal in Windsor but a violinist, a hang and one amazing vocalist providing the musical backdrop to Kiss Me Goodbye a modern take on a classic musical. Assisted by some contemporary dancing and creative use of visuals, it tells a story of a woman who falls in love with a man who only realises he is in love with her until it is too late.
A joint venture between The Windsor Festival and GLOW Productions, the latter company owned by well-known cultural figure in the town Melanie Gow, picture the scene as the curtain rises. The solo violinist for the evening Flavio Lopez plays a beautiful, haunting intro and sets the mood for the start of the story whilst Daniel Waples plays the mysterious yet melodic sound of the hang. The 4 Motion dancers in their white creep quietly onto the stage and the love story starts to be told on a projector overhead. The mood and pace changes as the silhouettes of the band behind become more vivid. The awesome vocal might and musical presence of Eleanore and The Lost are unleashed with a mix of rock, pop and grunge as the story changes direction.
Perhaps a representation of youth and love, this Kate Bush sounding vocalist stole the show and certainly uplifted the audience, evident by standing ovations at the end. The unsung hero of the night was Daniel Waples and his instrument which created a warm undercurrent of musical emotion; a unique blend of diversity and talent.
Published by The Windor Observer.
Written by Pete Rann © 2011