Reviews
EXCEPTIONALLY WELL-RESEARCHED AND WRITTEN PIECE
Just when it seemed that the best of this year's Fringe had been and gone, a production emerges that epitomises what so many before have lacked; David Goldthorpe's solo performance on the life and times of legendary jazz musician Chet Baker, Like Someone in Love.
Baker's personal life of sex, booze and drugs was the antithesis of his laidback jazz style. It is said that in his later years, when he resembled a walking corpse, Baker would look in the mirror and see himself young, beautiful and angelic, which is exactly what David Goldthorpe is (a Dan Carter of the theatre) and which he uses as his starting point. He proceeds to take the audience through the highs and lows of Baker's life, interspersing the dialogue with expertly arranged Baker classics under the musical direction of Tim Solly.
This is no impersonation of Baker, or a boring chronology of his life, but an exceptionally well-researched and written piece, professionally put together by Goldthorpe and director David Lawrence. In contrast to the beautifully melodic music, the dialogue is raw and hard-nosed. Goldthorpe is not frightened to show the sorrowing pain of Baker's life that made him as infamous as his music made him famous.
This is a show for theatre-goers as well as jazz lovers and one that deserves a repeat season.
Reviewed by Ewen Coleman, Dominion Post
Monday February 26th, 2007
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