THEATRE REVIEW: MOVIN’ MELVIN BROWN as part of FRINGE WORLD FESTIVAL, PERTH

Shane | 16 February 2018 | Reply

THEATRE REVIEW: MOVIN’ MELVIN BROWN as part of FRINGE WORLD FESTIVAL, PERTH
By Shane Pinnegar

Movin’ Melvin Brown tells his fascinating life story – A Man, A Magic, A Music – with warm humour, generous humility and a whole lotta singing and tap dancing in his autobiographical show.

From his 1940’s Ohio upbringing, this all-singing all-dancing showman, resplendent in white-tailed suit starts with his love of gospel singing, progressing through crooning and doo wop, and then hits his stride with the rock n’ roll of Chubby Checker and Chuck Berry, the soul of Wilson Pickett and Sam Cook, and the modern funk of Michael Jackson – throwing in loads of soft shoe shuffle and many a snippet of home grown wisdom learnt as he travelled The States and the world entertaining thousands.

Whether he’s telling the story of sneaking out to sing in nightclubs underage, falling in love for the first time, joining the army and facing discrimination, touring the States with his Showband, working as a male stripper, or his charitable work, he has a song, a message, some laughs and boundless energy befitting a far younger man to share with the crowd at the exquisite Perth Town Hall.

You’d be hard-pushed to find a more uplifting, self-affirming, talent-filled ninety minutes at Fringe World this year. You can see Movin’ Melvin Brown in his tribute to Chuck Berry at Fringe World Theatre at the Perth Town Hall 7pm nightly until 18 February.