The Final Countdown is a musical journey that takes audience members on a ride through 6 decades of fashion, radio, music and above all “Rock ‘n Roll”. Starting in the '50s with greased hair, ice cream cones, the road house, stove pipe jeans, milk shakes and Elvis, Ritchie Valens, Bill Haley, Buddy Holly, Shirley Bassey and Connie Francis.
This production then moves on to the '60s where introducing some of the greatest music of that time presented in a swinging London street scene, Carnaby Street, where anything can happen. The sixties features music from The Beach Boys, Roy Orbison, The Supremes, as well as the flamboyant compere ’Awesome Powers.'
Then the '70s feature everything from rock groups like Deep Purple to the disco era of Bee Gees, Donna Summer and Le Freak. Everyone from that generation remembers those crazy platform shoes when mirror balls and disco music instantly took the world by storm - creating a never ending party.
A vast amount of music was recorded in the 80’s and teens from that age remember the movie themes like Dirty Dancing, Fame and Footloose, icons like Lionel Ritchie, pop bands like Depeche Mode and South Africa's own local SA sounds of bands like Savuka and Hotline. The eighties was absolute fun and simply produced the greatest hits and music of the era.
The '90s saw the creation of many diverse scenes in music but the decade was best known for girl groups like Spice Girls, boy bands like Boyz II Men, pop bands like Roxette and icons like Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin. The nineties was a daring and innovative decade and produced music that will always be cherished and remembered.
Lastly, the show arrives in present time: the year 2000 and beyond where the music still lives on. Girls in rock have become a dominant force with artists Christina Aguilera ruling the airwaves. The rock scene saw hits by Mika, Nickelback, and Kid Rock not to forget the soccer world cup with songs like Waka Waka and Wavin’ Flag.
This countdown is sure to be a fun, nostalgic trip down memory lane through the fashion and music of the past half a century. Is is presented at the Barnyard Theatre Cresta January 12-March 11, Boksburg March 13-April 29, and Rivonia May 1-June 24, 2012. Visit http://www.barnyardtheatres.co.za/show.aspx?sid=238 for more information and to purchase tickets.
