SHOW: King of Rock & Prince of Pop (2022)
VENUE: Star Casino, Gold Coast
DATE: 20 August, 2022
Review by SHIRLEY BROUN
I WAS transported back in time to the era of Cliff Richard and Elvis Presley on Saturday night at the Gold Coast’s Star Casino with a brilliant show The King of Rock and The Prince of Pop starring Australian music legend Marty Rhone and Mark Andrew.
Marty is a master when it comes to singing Cliff and Mark, who has performed on every continent as Elvis, was compelling and convincing replicating his idol in what was a truly mesmerising visual and musical experience by both artists.
A huge fan of Marty Rhone since his big hits Mean Pair of Jeans and Denim and Lace, both of which served as the ideal introduction to a fabulous night of music, I was blown away by this fabulous show, amazing visuals on the big screen, and the brilliant delivery of top hits that have endured time.
It was certainly very timely with this year marking the 45th Anniversary of the premature passing of the King of Rock and Roll, and there could not have been a better tribute performed by Mark Andrew during the first half of the performance, watched on by his lovely wife Lisa Curry.
He opened with two of the King of Rock's earliest and most endearing hits (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear (1957) and Can't Help Falling in Love (1961) and then the hits just rolled on from there with everything from Jailhouse Rock and Suspicious Minds to Burning Love.
Vocally, Mark was superb having the ability to reflect the sensual style of Elvis and the tenderness and magnetism to entice the crowd to sing along at every opportunity.
The second half was devoted to Marty Rhone and his beautiful renditions of the top hits of enduring performer Cliff Richard, whom Marty had met briefly while in the cast alongside star Yul Brynner in the London stage production of The King and I.
The uptempo iconic Cliff Richard hit Devil Woman kicked off Marty's tribute in fine style and the hits just kept coming from there ... Angel, Living Doll, Bachelor Boy, Summer Holiday, The Young Ones, Do you Wanna Dance, Little Bo Peep, Put on your Dancing Shoes and so many more that had the enthusiastic crowd rocking in their seats.
Marty, with his dynamic vocals, took us all the way back to the big hits as well as to more recent chart toppers like Some People, The Only Way Out, We Don't Talk Anymore and the iconic Wired For Sound (minus the skates).
Through both Marty and Mark's live performances, there were interviews, performances and photographs featuring the stars themselves being beamed to the audience on a large screen which was nothing less than spectacular, providing an amazing visual experience among the best I've ever seen.
It was so beautifully timed throughout the entire show that during song performances it seemed as if the original stars were singing in unison with Marty and Mark. It was a true highlight and a credit to all who put it together.
Interviews seen on the screen, also captured special moments throughout Cliff Richard's and Elvis's lives with the visual effects captivating the audience whose attention never strayed from centre stage.
The music, visual experience, and live action on the Star Casino's theatre stage could not have been better and was a true credit to Marty, Mark and everyone involved including highly talented musical director who brought it all together, John St. Peeters and his amazing bandmembers.
The next performance of The King of Rock & Prince of Pop (2022) will be held at Darwin Entertainment Centre on Saturday, 10 September, 2022 from 8pm.
August 26, 2022
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