Pianist David Scheel to Play Kalk Bay Theatre, 6/28-29

David Scheel is a true Australian success story. Born at Stirling in the Adelaide Hills of South Australia he studied at the University of Adelaide, gaining an Honours degree in languages and a concert diploma on the piano. However, coming from a theatrical family theatre was David's first love, and after a short stint on stage, in films and on television he decided - like so many before him - to try his luck in England. The gamble was so successful that it was to keep David away from Australian shores for the best part of 18 years.

In the UK David's work ranged across a broad spectrum, from pantomimes with the likes of Norman Wisdom, to work with The National Theatre, TV series such asBergerac, plus many TV and radio appearances, principally for the BBC. However, it was when David went solo, combining comedy with classical music that his career really took off. His best-known show, Don't Shoot Me, I'm Only the Piano Player, sold out in London's West End, at 3 consecutive Edinburgh Festivals, picking up a Variety Club of Great Britain award along the way. West End offers soon followed, plus many more appearances on top-rating BBC series, including Stop the Week and The GArden Party, on both of which David was a regular weekly guest.

Since returning to Australia in 1994 David has expanded his international touring schedule into the USA and Canada, and in October 2002 undertook his first tour of South East Asia, breaking box office records throughout the region. He has also devised two new programs, Maestro, A Celebration of Musical Eccentrics, and his latest offering, A Shorte Hysterical Historie of Musicke, which he describes as "the most satisfying program I've ever written. I think it's just as funny as Don't Shoot Me... and the music content is, if anything, better." An assessment agreed upon by critics when the new show opened at Arizona State University in late 2001. A Shorte Hysterical Historie... was also filmed and broadcast on US television in August 2002.

Away from mixing classical music and comedy, David is also an award-winning serious composer, and a highly respected writer on conservation issues. Since 1993 he has been happily married to his Romanian wife, Tatiana, a passionate devotee of philosophy, ancient history and classic music, and "the perfect partner". David and Tatiana live in the world heritage listed Blue Mountains National Park in New South Wales.

David Scheel, has made something of a speciality of having fun at the expense of classical music. A well-known folk tune played in the styles of various old masters (plus an iPod mini!), a piece by Bach played with one hand, and another by Andrew Lloyd Webber with the other hand (at the same time!), a mini-concerto based on the 2 worst tunes ever written...These, plus topical sideswipes at the icons of modern living, politicians, and whoever is making the news, and all delivered in an enormous range of comic voices and accents, have led to frequent comparisons with the likes of Victor Borge, Robin Williams and Peter Ustinov. So, if you want to hear beautiful piano music and laugh yourself silly at the same time, then David's multi-award winning show, Don't Shoot Me; I'm Only the Piano Player, a hit in London's West End and right across the USA, is a must-see event!

In his words - "My concerts are very unusual in that I mix a classical piano recital in with a lot of humour, but unlike others, who do this sort of thing, I still take the music completely seriously, so among the laughter, the pure music lovers are never left short-changed. In fact, the mixture of music and fun tends not only to attract pure music lovers, but also people who would not normally attend a classical recital, and this is why my concerts are always extremely well attended (In 2012 for example, all but 2 have been sold out)"

KALK BAY THEATRE PERFORMANCES :

2 SHOWS ONLY : JUNE 28 & 29 @ 20h00 [8 p.m.]

Ticket Prices: R100 [show only] / FRIDAY JUNE 28 ONLY R300 [show + 3 course meal]

On June 29 KBT's Poor Man's Pot [a light meal of the day] will be available priced from R55 - details from the Funkichef at 072-7149559 /funkichef@gmail.com

Bookings can be made on www.kbt.co.za

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