Presented by The Fishbowl Boys
Reviewed Saturday 8th June 2013
Barbershop Quartets were very popular in the early part of the last century, but tend to get referred to nowadays as a cappella groups. It is a form of singing (using no instruments but the voice) that would be a shame to see die out – so it is heartening to see that the next generation is taking over the reins, with various groups forming. The Fishbowl Boys is one such group who seem to have a very firm hand on those reins.
A South Australian group, The Fishbowl Boys are four (very) young men – Kieran O’Dea (Tenor), Matthew Lykos (Lead), Robin Breugelmans (Baritone) and Cameron DuRieu (Bass) – who met in high school in 2006, entered a local talent show, won first prize, and the rest, as they say, was history.
3 Night Stand! is their contribution to this year’s Cabaret Fringe and is highly entertaining. But cabaret really needs a theme to hang its hat on, and as this is basically a collection of the group’s tried and true with some new material added, this is more of a concert format. It doesn’t matter, as these boys are fantastic and strut their stuff extremely well.
With numbers including ‘Moondance’, ‘That’s Life’, ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’ and a great arrangement of ‘Come Back To Me’ (from the Sixties Broadway musical On A Clear Day You Can See Forever), there is never a note out of place from these boys – their vocals are beautiful.
These boys have a charm and cheekiness about them, and know how to use to it their best advantage. Who else but fresh faced, well presented young guys would get away with a song entitled ‘My Enormous Penis’? One can’t help but like them!
Their patter between songs is enjoyable enough, but it could be tighter with more humour. But it must be said that Breugelmans, in particular, has a great control of the audience and is not frightened to get in amongst them.
A highlight of the show is their stunning version of Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You’ with Lykos leading the harmonies wonderfully.
Opening night of 3 Night Stand! had a mixed audience of young and old, and everyone left very happy and thoroughly entertained.
Cabaret Festival Artistic Director, Kate Ceberano should check The Fishbowl Boys out as a possible future Cabaret Festival act – with just a dash more polish these young men can certainly be stars of the future.
Reviewed by Brian Godfrey
Venue: Nexus Multicultural Arts Centre, Lion Arts Centre, Morphett St, Adelaide
Season: 8, 12 & 16 June 2013
Duration: 1hr 10 mins
Tickets: $19.00 – $25.00
Bookings: Book online at the Cabaret Fringe Festival website or tickets available at the door if not sold out
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