After a very successful performance at The Regal Theatre in July this year, The Carpenters From Kempsey are back this Friday night, 16 November, for A Carpenters Kinda Christmas.
With a list of hits longer than you may realise, The Carpenters have left a long-lasting impression on the music industry. Over a 14-year period, starting in 1969, the Carpenters released 10 albums, along with numerous singles, and appeared in several television specials. Though their personal stories are rather sad, their songs are often used to mark happy occasions, such as their 1970 hit Close To You regularly being used at weddings.
The Carpenters From Kempsey, starring Darren Mapes and Adelaide’s own Debora Krizak, play siblings Darren and Sharon Carpenter from Kempsey, NSW. Their lives were magically transformed the day they discovered the “other Carpenters”; not only did Darren and Sharon share a family name, but they looked similar as well! The Carpenters From Kempsey celebrates the iconic music of The Carpenters, but with a comic twist.
I spent some time with Debora and Darren ahead of their performance at The Regal Theatre to find out how Darren and Sharon are going, what this new show is about and what Christmas means to them,
Debora:
“For me I just enjoy having a forced day off. It’s a day where we can just stop and rest. I’m happy to just go with the flow and I’m more than happy to just sit by the pool and have a sausage. Time to switch off. “
Darren:
“Lots of food, fun, family and sing-alongs around the piano. Of course we do enjoy having a drink or two and then having the Great Christmas Day Nap around 3pm.”
South Aussie Debora Krizak has had a string of successful appearances in musicals and cabaret shows around Australia. Darren Mapes is one of Australia’s go-to vocal coaches for many musical theatre performers, band singers and recording artists. He is also a highly acclaimed accompanist and musical director for many artists, including Debora.
Darren and Sharon have already had a wonderful time here in Adelaide in July with their previous performance at The Regal. What are audiences in for this time around with A Carpenters Kinda Christmas?
Darren:
“It’s a real mix this time. Of course we have all of the Carpenters’ hits in there, but they also had a lot of very successful Christmas albums. We will do a few of the traditional carols the Carpenters’ covered but we also have a few quirky things in there. For example we are doing our rendition of Bette Midler’s version of Mele Kalikimaka and Christmas Island. Darren and Sharon had to up their skills during lockdowns, so they thought that they would get into tourism and work at a flight centre. If they sell enough tour packages they might win a trip to Hawaii.”
Debora:
“Like a lot of holiday deals, Darren and Sharon come as a package deal too – two for the price of one. You only need to pay them one wage.”
Darren and Debora have a wonderful natural banter when they talk. I was curious to find out how they go when one of them strays from the script and starts ad libbing.
Debora:
“Let’s put it this way…Darren gets a bit upset with Sharon if she goes off script. We try to keep to the script unless something funny happens with the audience or something doesn’t quite go to plan and then we have to rely on comic adlib skills.”
Darren:
“Funny how that always does seem to happen, Debora…”
During the many lockdowns over the last few years, Darren and Sharon had to learn some new skills to get by.
Darren:
“Sharon started making her own candles, calling her business ‘The Really Useless Candle Company’. “
Debora:
“And Darren has his own tea-towel company called ‘The Really Stupid Tea-Towel Company’.”
Darren:
“These items will be for sale in the foyer after the show.”
With Christmas just around the corner, what better way to get into the Christmas Spirit than to sing and laugh along with A Carpenters Kinda Christmas. Debora and Darren will be at The Regal Theatre for one show only, Friday 16 November at 8pm. Tickets can be purchased at https://markushamence.com/shows-and-events/ .
Interviewed by: Ben Stefanoff
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