Carclew House Ballroom
6pm Saturday 1st June
On Saturday the Carclew House Ballroom was filled with the nostalgic tunes of The Beatles, reimagined with a jazzy flair by the talented Charlee Watt. Inspired by interpretations of legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone, Watt, in collaboration with gifted pianist and composer David Goodwin, breathed soul into the Fab4’s classics.
We were greeted with warmth upon entering the venue, there were plenty of flyers and promotional materials available, as well as QR codes. After checking off our names, we walked into the bustling ballroom, and were treated to a complimentary wine – a lovely surprise that added to the relaxed and intimate atmosphere.
The show opened with a jazzy rendition of ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’, and we were immediately stunned by Watt’s powerful voice and charismatic presence as she led a talented ensemble of musicians: Goodwin on the keys, Christina Guala on saxophone, Declan Horan on bass, and Lewis Todd on drums. Through each interpretation of the Beatles’ hits from ‘She Loves You’ to ‘Let it Be’, the audience was transported back to their first loves, first heartbreaks, and all those coming-of-age milestones that inspired the hysteria-inducing songs of The Beatles. Charlee spoke about this hysteria caused by the band’s visit to Adelaide in 1964, and it was a delightful surprise that an audience member towards the front had been there!
Watt’s stage presence was captivating. Her interaction with the audience, interspersing personal anecdotes with good humour and candid vulnerability, made everyone feel comfortable and open. The audience was a mix of ages and types of people, all grooving along in their own way – shoulders shimmying and toes tapping. The jokes riffed back and forth between Watt and the audience, and she expertly directed the show back on track each time.
The professionalism of the young cast, with Watt being only 19 herself, was impressive. Their talent completely blew me away. I found myself wishing I could have bought a record of the show to take home with me!
Watt’s fabulous interaction with the audience, her vocal and narrative depth, and her ability to think on her feet as she worked with the personal stories of the audience, made the show a memorable experience. It was a night of music, nostalgia, and connection, reminding us of our first love, first heartbreak, and how music seemed a little different in that time. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for future shows.
www.charleewatt.com.au
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