Posted By Samantha Tipler on Feb 22, 2019 | 2 comments

Emma Knights is a seasoned performer, producer, presenter, writer, mentor and all round supporter of the arts. Her credentials and experience speak for themselves (check out her website for more info: www.emmaknightsproductions.com)

In this cabaret show, Emma is not supporting anyone else, accompanying other singers nor directing from the sidelines. This is all about her. And she does it all.

Writing and performing her first solo show, which she debuted last year at Edinburgh Fringe, Emma’s inspiration was to bring more awareness to the amazing talents of female pianists, whilst not diminishing the talents of male pianists. She does this through a variety of musical pieces that she performs on the grand piano, including one of her original pieces. She accompanies these with her own singing and weaves it all together through anecdotes from her own life, seamlessly moving through playing, singing and speaking.

Emma’s voice is beautiful. Her piano playing is so sensitive and also so strong – talent just oozes from her fingers. She is polished and professional and manages to evoke so much emotion through her music and her storytelling. She combines humour with deeper poignant moments and her personality shines through. She is vulnerable and brave sharing intimate moments and personal insights and her sweetness will make you want to give her a hug, but she is equally strong, feisty and cheeky and her assertiveness and perspective on life will leave you wanting to give her a high five and a shout of “hell yeah!”

Emma challenges the way we think about female pianists. She intersperses the performance with statistics such as “only 10 women are recognised in the most 100 influential musicians in the world.” She cites examples of talented female musicians and brings those examples to life by reading several exerpts from books. Emma cleverly keeps balance in the show across the choice of music, the subject matter and style of anecdotes, the storytelling and singing as well as the feminist messages. She praises male musicians and shares anecdotes about her inspiration and influences. “My dad was my first Piano Man hero”, she exclaims with love and admiration.

A consistent feature over many years of Emma Knights Productions is her choice of interesting and unique venues. The setting for The Piano Men in the Ukaria Cultural Centre, Mt Barker is no exception. The backdrop of gum trees and native landscaping helped create a peaceful and relaxing energy in the room. The trees reflected in the glossiness of the grand piano’s polish became part of the set adding an extra touch of beauty and interest.

The audience was enthralled and completely captivated. One of the audience favourites was a rag time piece by Winifred Atwell, a high energy piece which Emma accompanied with a well appreciated anecdote.

This show is all class. Emma has panache, style and authenticity. She is relatable and personal and makes each audience member feel as though she is speaking only to them and that they are her best friend by the end of the show. We all feel we know and love Emma now and I don’t think I’m alone is hoping she does more solo shows in the future. Meanwhile, catch this show while you can!

The Piano Men is on March 7 at the Ballroom at Urrbrae House 
The University of Adelaide – Waite Campus, Walter Young Avenue
(enter from Fullarton Road), Urrbrae, SA.
Tickets can be purchased here:
https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/the-piano-men-af2019