Nikolai Galen @ Norwich Playhouse
This is a brave concept
Nikolai Galen, aka Nick Hobbs of The Shrubs, Mecca and Infidel, is here to perform the songs of Jacques Brel as part of Norfolk & Norwich Festival. Having been asked to curate a concert of Brel's songs in Poland, Galen was inspired to translate a number of the songs from French to English and to perform them a cappella.
Galen’s singing voice is reminiscent of Current 93's David Tibet. As Galen explains, the melodies of some of the songs do not work without the music and these are performed as spoken word, becoming part poetry recital, part Shakespearean tragedy.
Between songs, Galen's presentation is restrained and uncertain, perhaps not helped by slipping off the stage in the early part of the performance. During the songs, by Galen's own admission, there are some mistakes, with lyrics misremembered and one song having to be restarted.
This is a brave concept and Galen should be applauded for it. After all, with no music, just words, there is nowhere for the performer to hide. For me, though, this was a hit-and-miss experience and was something to be admired rather than enjoyed.
