Mumford Revolution back for an extended run

CENTRESTAGE's hit show The Mumford Revolution is back for an extended run, including at Old Grey and the Boardwalk amphitheatre in Port Elizabeth, and at the Guild Theatre in East London.

"Our initial four-day run in May sold out within days of announcing it, a week before we even opened," show creator Gary Hemmings said.

Billed as the ultimate feel-good banjo, fiddle- and double bass- led, blue grass-influenced rock show, The Mumford Revolution will be at Old Grey in Mount Croix on Thursday and Saturday at 7.30pm. It will be staged at the Guild Theatre on August 21 and 22, followed by shows at the Boardwalk on August 29 and 30.

Aimed at "young and old, hipsters and hillbillies alike", it not only features the music of folk, country and bluegrass-inspired Mumford & Sons, but includes chart- topping hits from artists inspired by the uplifting new music craze.

Centrestage enlisted fast-fingered banjo player extraordinaire, Colin Lyall, to recreate the banjo sound whose resurgence has become so popular.

Kevin Mattheus will be responsible for the upfront kickdrum sound which accompanies Andrew Warneke on double bass to complete the 1950s-styled combo lineup.

Lyall will get to show off his banjo chops with the band.

"While I have always been a folky at heart, I've been playing the banjo for the last 20 years, and this is just the kind of gig I've been waiting to play.

"I can't wait to get my bluegrass groove on," Lyall said.

Aptly-named Bay musician and music teacher Nicholas Fidler will rock the fiddle on songs such as The Devil Went Down to Georgia and Duelling Banjos.

Aston Wylie, another member of the lineup, said the Mumford sound played an influential role in the development of his own vocal, keyboard and guitar style.

"I love the feel-good, upbeat vibe of this genre of music. It has a happy-go-lucky feel and gets people moving," he said.

Long-time bluegrass fan and ace guitarist Hugo Kleinhans, also a banjo player, follows up his solid performance in the recent Centrestage Johnny Cash tribute with an enthusiastic turn in the Mumford show.

Vocalist Wayne Kallis fronts the show and acts as musical director once again.

Tickets cost R120 each at Computicket.

Hemmings said a number of special fundraising performances were also scheduled including this Friday at Sunridge Park Primary. For tickets contact (041) 360-8100.