Centrestage - Entertainment Port Elizabeth

Triumphant Return of Acclaimed Elton John Salute

South Africa’s ‘Prince of the piano’ and larger than life entertainment celebrity Ian Von Memerty, joins forces with the popular Centrestage band to make a triumphant return to the Boardwalk Amphitheatre, reprising their hit tribute to Elton John ‘Honky Cats’ on 2 and 3 March.

Following their recent critically acclaimed run at Peter Toerien’s Theatre on the Bay in Camps Bay earlier in January, the band is fired up and as tight as ever, with the explosive combination of talents destined to amaze local audiences as much as they did those in the Western Cape.

Cape Town critics raved, The Cape Robyn describing the show as “… way more than a tribute. It felt like we had stumbled in on Elton himself playing with a darn good rock n’ roll band in a plush theatre by the sea, and how lucky we are to be in that audience in Camps Bay!”

International theatre impresario and owner of Theatre on the Bay Peter Toerien himself enthused on opening night “WOW Ian you amazed me again! Move over Elton we have our own. You are SUCH a great entertainer. A million congratulations for last night!”

So a thrilling journey through John's extraordinary and evergreen songs awaits for anyone who missed the original run, starting way back with Your Song, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues, through blazing ballads such as Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word and Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me, to hits such as I’m Still Standing and Crocodile Rock.

Having spent forty years as an international superstar, Elton John has earned a warehouse of accolades, including an Academy Award, a Tony Award and a handful of Grammy Awards, along with numerous nominations on all three platforms, all paying tribute to his songwriting and performing genius.

John's brilliant and versatile music, in combination with Bernie Taupin's poetic lyrics, Tim Rice's witty wordplay, a great rocking band, and Von Memerty's experience as real showman and master musician means that audiences are in for a night that will have them rocking in their chairs, clapping their hands, and humming some of the greatest songs ever.

The Centrestage band which will back Von Memerty consists of musical director Wayne Kallis on vocals and acoustic guitar, Gino Fabbri on drums, Andrew Warneke on bass, Boet Strydom on keyboards, Curtis Kettledas on sax and ex-Clout and Little Sister guitarist Sandy Robbie.

“This is a show for both casual Elton John followers and true fans”, says Centrestage’s Gary Hemmings.

“With such an incredible and expansive songbook to choose from, the show covers most of his biggest hits, but also includes wonderful renditions of songs such as Burn Down the Mission, Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting, Bennie and the Jets, The Bitch is Back and Philadelphia Freedom.”

“Wayne Kallis also received fantastic recognition for his renditions of Levon and Rocket Man by Cape Town audiences surprised at the talent and maturity level of our Eastern Cape performers, and they loved experiencing Gino’s comedy skills as he stepped out from behind the drums to camp it up with Ian on Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”

For South Africa’s “Captain Entertainment” to tackle the most entertaining of the great piano men along with Centrestage, seems to be a natural fit.

“Honky Cats – both!”

Tickets for HONKY CATS – A TRIBUTE TO ELTON JOHN are available online via Computicket-CLICK HERE or by calling Wendy on 082-6616921.

Tickets cost R150/R130 for blocks of 8 or more.

A special R100 pensioner’s special is applicable and a limited no of free tickets for children under 18 will be available to anyone who books through Wendy before 26 February.

Shows on 2 and 3 March at the Boardwalk Amphitheatre start at 8pm and doors open at 7pm.

Watch a clip from the previous PE show on youtube - Click Here