Have you ever thought about going to a piano recital and been put off by the stiff upper lip and seriousness of it all?
Well, Katzenjammer – the Four Hands on One Piano Music & Comedy Duo, turn classical music on its head on Saturday 26 January when the two internationally acclaimed pianists, Steven Worbey and Kevin Farrell, visit Quay Arts with a brand new show following their hugely successful debut last year.
With four hands on one piano, Katzenjammer are not your typical piano duo. Both classically trained pianists and experienced comedy performers, Kevin Farrell and Steven Worbey, have developed their own unique, virtuosic and acrobatic style of playing that has been described by Stephen Pettitt, The Times music critic, as ‘both funny and spectacular’. Fantastic piano gymnastics combine with comedy as they spoof a whole range of musical styles while playing classical favourites, but all with a twist; “We put classical music in its place,” Steven said, “and make music fun again for audiences of all ages”. The resulting tangle of hands and arms on their keyboard is projected onto a large screen so that you’ll be mesmerised by the gymnastic display of their playing.
“Their audience-friendly style sees this unique and original act blend their expert musicianship with a great stage presence and gift for ad-libbing. Some arrangements see the two pianists jostling, almost arm-wrestling, for access to the keys as the technical difficulty of the pieces sees all four hands dashing up and down the piano and in between each other, crossing, double-crossing, interweaving and out-dancing one another as they go. You’ve never seen a piano played like this before!” says critic, John Lloyd.
Katzenjammer’s combination of fast fingers and enthusiasm for live music has seen them perform to great critical acclaim at prestigious venues such as the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, the Royal Festival Hall in London, and the King’s Theatre, Edinburgh, while their infectious and breathtaking ‘Four Hands On One Piano’ show has entertained sell-out audiences at UK festivals in Chichester, Cambridge, Buxton, Devizes, Corsham and Edinburgh. Don’t miss this!!
Bits and Bobs:
Performance Date/Time: Sat 26 Jan 8pm (doors 7pm)
Location: Anthony Minghella Theatre, Quay Arts
Ticket Price: £7 (£4 Under 16’s) Box Office 01983 822490
