Two Good Knights make one great night
The Mayfield Dinner Theatre opens its fall season with yet another of its popular chart-topping music celebrations. This time it’s a British bash called Two Good Knights, highlighting the careers of two of Old Blighty’s living legends: Tom Jones and Elton John.
When the now Sir Thomas John Woodward (OBE) began to release records in the states in 1965, certain radio stations refused to play this Tom Jones because he obviously was a “black” singer. Even Elvis, with whom Jones conducted a close bromance over the years, was surprised to find out he was white. Back home in Wales young Tom was heavily influenced by R&B, blues, soul and gospel. He was a “shape shifter,” burbled the New York Times – while Jones was on his way to selling 100 million records. With his muscular voice and robust tenor (later baritone) he also sold sex – boasting that he had relationships with 250 groupies in one year. Elvis famously asked his manager, “Does he stick a sock down his trousers?”
Sir Elton Hercules John (CBE) has also enjoyed a five decade career in the music business as a singer, pianist, stage performer and composer (The Lion King) and has sold an awesome 300 million records. He was also influenced by America’s popular music (you don’t have to listen very hard to hear gospel), particularly in his piano playing. John has been at the very centre of popular music for a half century.
These crown princes of pop share a different kind of music but they sure work well in this sparkling show at the Mayfield. How could they fail? Between them they have enough hits to stock several shows – a celebration of how their songs have become the soundtrack of our lives.
Written by the Mayfield’s literary muse Will Marks, this show seems a little thrown together but, man, does it work. At first, it settles into the familiar Mayfield template – a genial host guides you through a star’s life while a performer and the Mayfield’s resident rockin’ band do their best to recreate the hits you’re used to on the radio. In this case, the host is actor Chris Bullough, who is called upon to create a universe of diverse characters – from rock band managers to the Queen herself. He trots out a whole Baedeker of British accents, and does it with considerable humour and skill.
It’s nice to see Kieran Martin Murphy back in his natural habitat on the Mayfield stage. Over the years, he has distinguished himself on that stage, but has seldom been better than as Tom Jones. I don’t know if he has the raw sexuality of the Welsh star but he does have an impressive pelvic thrust – and a set of pipes that certainty match Jones’ for power and dramatic delivery. Murphy manages to capture the plaintive catch in the voice that Jones uses so effectively in emotional passages as well as the pinched note of anguish Jones employs at the end of a phrase.
The performer struts commandingly about the stage (and into the audience) summoning the carnal dynamism of the man. What a performance! At least no one in the audience honoured the Jones’ tradition of throwing their panties onto the stage … and, ah, wait a minute, yes they did.
The songs include both Thunderball and Lucky Old Sun – both of which Murphy turns into showstopping anthems – along with It’s Not Unusual, She’s a Lady, Delilah, The Green Green Grass of Home and … well, you know.
The production then shifts gears for Elton John – again with the portmanteau Bullough as an entire supporting cast of players from both sides of the Atlantic. This time, the act is more of a concert featuring an amazing master of pianistic and singing skills, Keith Retson-Spalding, who worked as half the duo at the Red Piano at WEM. Having the same general physical shape, pixie personality and unpractised stage moves as the star he’s playing, he makes an impressive show complete with fiery piano breaks and outlandish costumes.
Songs include Your Song, Rocket Man, Tiny Dancer, Candle in the Wind and … well, you know.
The two stars even get to share the duet they never sang in life.
Of course, the Mayfield can’t set off the impressive visual effects that John uses in Vegas and on the road, but video designer Matt Schuurman sure gives it a great shot. He provides basic biographic slides and videos throughout, and somehow manages to turn the modest Mayfield Set (and Retson-Spalding’s grand piano) into an impressive display of spectacularly visual artistry.
Note should also be made of Christine Bandelow and Jennifer McMillan, who managed to sound like a whole chorus of Detroit-style back-up singers behind the stars. McMillan appears doing all the doo wop moves, singing and dancing with Bandelow, and singing while playing with the band.
Playing until Oct. 28, Two Good Knights: The Music of Sir Tom Jones and Sir Elton John is one of the best and most entertaining of the Mayfield’s pop music spectacles.
Photos by Ed Ellis
