The winner takes it all … to Centrestage

ROSA-KAROO LOEWE

Gqeberha’s glitz-fest band Centrestage returns to the Guild Theatre with “Absolutely ABBA”, bigger and brighter than ever.

The tribute show to the legendary Swedish glam pop band includes an 11-piece live band and disco divas singing a range of hits at the Guild Theatre on August 30 and 31.

Centrestage first staged “Absolutely ABBA” at the Guild in 2006. Since then, the show has become a fan favourite, returning again and again.

The revived concert opened in Gqeberha last week, with a teaser performance at the Kirkwood Wildsfees Festival in June.

Centrestage co-owner and drummer Gino Fabbri, 54, said: “This is a big one, it’s an 11-piece band with full lighting and sound and involved a lot of people, a true extravaganza!

“Abba’s music is deceptively simple but the chords and harmonies are complex.”

Vocal coach Thuba Myeki worked tirelessly with the vocalists on the songs, which often included six- or seven-part harmonies,” Fabbri said.

“Thuba stayed for a long time, getting all the voices right, when ABBA recorded in the studio they layered their voices, but we have got it as close to the original sound as we can.

“They have done a fantastic job.”

The Centrestage band is helmed by Fabbri on drums, Andre Strydom on bass, Fenlen Pietie and Khanya Matomela on keys and Hugo Kleinhans and Stephen Hurter on guitar.

“Fenlen and Khanya are two amazing keyboard players, and the two guitarists do these guitar harmonies which is beautiful.

“Kids today don’t get to see a live band often and they love it. You can change a child’s life when he sees someone playing music.”

On vocals, Tara-Jane Stern and newcomer Kalyn Du Plessis shine as the front duo in glittery disco pants and boots, with Myeki on additional vocals alongside newbies Gemma Barnard and Caeleigh Heradien.

Du Plessis, 19, said: “Come and experience it, enjoy yourself, it’s entertainment so come and let it feed your soul.

“There’s also some tongue-in-cheek — you know what they say; everybody loves ABBA but not many people admit it.

Fabbri said: “Guys normally go ‘Ah no, I don’t like ABBA’, but put them in the audience and they sing along to every song.”

• August 30-31: Centrestage presents Absolutely ABBA at the Guild Theatre from 8pm. Saturday matinee at 1.30pm. Dress up as your best dancing king and queen. Tickets are R280 and available from Computicket and all Shoprite and Checkers outlets. Contact: 043-743-0704.

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