CAKE TEA and COURTSHIP Songs of the 1920s
Blondini's Bar, Embassy Theatre, Wellington
12/02/2016 - 13/02/2016
NZ Fringe Festival 2016 [reviewing supported by WCC]
Production Details
Rarely heard songs of the 1920s to be bought to life in elegant surrounds
Audiences will have the chance to hear the charming songs that defined the 1920s when singer Jason Henderson and piano accompanist Fiona McCabe perform Cake, Tea & Courtship: Songs of the 1920s at Blondini’s Café in the Embassy Theatre.
The hour-long show, which is part of the 2016 Fringe Festival, will feature a broad selection of delightful songs from the decade – both well-know and obscure. The show promises pieces that range from touching to very funny and, in some cases, surprisingly contemporary. The tea and coffee crazes of the 1920s left a wealth of musical material.
Sourcing the music has been an adventure all its own. Jason says ‘I have been trawling though vintage sheet music, and listening to gramophone records to find a selection of songs to bring the period to life. One of my favourite discoveries so far is the 1923 comedy song ‘Cut yourself a piece of cake, and make yourself at home’ – it’s a real hoot!’
‘Tea for Two’ and ‘Ain’t we got fun’ will be two of the more famous songs to appear alongside many lesser-known gems. Conjuring the era of The Great Gatsby and Downton Abbey will be music by composers George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Ivor Novello, Noel Coward and Cole Porter, amongst others. Sharp-eared listeners will recognise some of the music from the soundtrack of the 1974 adaptation of The Great Gatsby (starring Robert Redford).
Performers Jason Henderson (voice) and Fiona McCabe (piano accompanist) are both experienced in classical and contemporary styles. They are well equipped to stylishly handle the music of the 1920s which formed part of the transition in the sound of popular music – from the classical tone of the turn of the century, to the full-blow jazz of the mid 1930’s. The pair have previously worked together to acclaim. The Star (Dunedin) reviewed “Henderson was likeable indeed in an original show filled with self-deprecating humour and music from shows, films and even oratorio. Beautifully accompanied by musical director Fiona McCabe.”
The venue, Blondini’s Café is situated inside the Embassy Theatre – a 1924 Picture Palace – the perfect setting for the music of the period. Delicious afternoon tea items will be available for purchase from Blondini’s for the audience to consume during the concert.
Music, venue and food will combine to form a special atmosphere, Jason says “It’s set to be a delightful concert – and a great way to start your Fringe Festival. It’s the perfect cross-generational outing – bring your mum, or bring your Gran!”
‘Tea for Two’ has never had so perfect a setting!
Cake, Tea & Courtship: Songs of the 1920s
Blondini’s (At the Embassy Theatre)
Friday Feb 12 at 5.30pm, Saturday Feb 13 at 2 & 4pm. (to check)
Duration: 1 hour
BOOKINGS: fringe.co.nz
TICKETS: $20/$15/$14
Theatre , Musical ,
1 hr
A perfectly joyous hark back to the music of a bygone era
Review by Jo Hodgson 13th Feb 2016
Cake, Tea and Courtship is an endearing dance of romance through the music of the ‘Roaring Twenties’. But it’s not just a good ol’ sing song – this delightful cabaret-styled high tea has a linking story of expectation, high hopes and dreams-dashed, all served with a delicate club sandwich of bitter sweet humour.
Staged in Blondini’s cafe in the sumptuous and apt surrounds of the beautifully restored Embassy Theatre (originally built in 1924), vocalist Jason Henderson with director Alison Hodge and musical director Fiona McCabe have captured the elegance of this time with their period attire and simple décor to set the scene stylistically. The prominent positioning of the sound desk and operator could have been better served if he also had been in costume, or screened off, as the modern sound technology is rather conspicuous alongside the old phonograph and beautifully formal table spread.
With sympathetic accompaniment from Fiona McCabe, Jason Henderson treats us to a delectable feast of well-known and lesser-known gems from this era.
Through his mellifluous voice, he tells us his story of unrequited love while he meticulously prepares his ‘Tea for Two’ (Youmans and Caesar) and waits for his guest to arrive.
We smile and laugh through such songs as Richard Whiting’s ‘Ain’t We Got Fun’, Cole Porter’s ‘Let’s Misbehave’ as he wonders if he has offended her, and Ivor Novello’s hilarious ‘Her Mother Came Too’. Numbers like ‘Me and My Shadow’ and a wistful version of ‘A Cup of Coffee, a Sandwich and You’ make us sigh and empathise.
Jason’s character is charming, boyishly awkward and ever so engaging as he shows his growing disquiet at what is unfolding.
But after ‘Everything Stops for Tea’, he returns somewhat fortified to continue with the more quirky and risque lyrics of ‘Yes Sir, That’s My Baby’ (Donaldson and Kahn) and the realisation that tea may not be all its cut out to be.
This piece of cabaret is delightfully quaint although sometimes the script, for me, doesn’t always segue smoothly between the character’s persona and the delivery of the neatly researched commentary on the etiquette of the British tea ceremony.
Thankfully the sound, after the first half, is tweaked for Jason’s voice to cut through over the rush hour traffic and the busy venue’s background noise (which I doubt would have been present at sound check) so we are able to hear more of his lovely vocal colour, which is totally suited to this music, pinging through.
A perfectly joyous hark back to the music of a bygone era.
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