| Home | Entertainment consultant | Promoter | Publicist | Producer | Performer | MC | Commercial voice-over artist | Translator | Biog | Contact |
Performer
Charl van Heyningen has been making a name for himself in the South African entertainment industry for the past two decades or so. After his theatrical debut in the 1992 production of a "A touch of Webber, A taste of Rice", Charl has become a regular on the South African music scene - his first CD being nominated for a Best Male Artist FNB SAMA (South African Music Awards).
| Subsequent productions include his critically acclaimed first solo cabaret "Per Amora", the enormously successful "Who Stole The Orchestra" in which he collaborates with Karen Meiring and Bondina Osterhof (CUTT GLAS) as well as Rory Rootenberg, as well as "Life is Beautiful", which was nominated for an FNB Vita. |  |
 |
His CD, LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL/LA VITA E BELLA was nominated for 2 Geraas Music Awards. Songs from the album are often seen on TV, and are playlisted on various radio stations. Charl and well-known South-African singer Manuel Escorcio have also joined forces in a show called "Nootvennote", as well as a CD of the same name. |
| In 2002/2003 came 'Movies Greatest Music - from Casablanca to Moulin Rouge'. Charl not only starred in, but also produced this great musical revue. It consisted of some of the greatest movie songs ever, and apart from Charl it also starred Lisa Melman and Russel Savadier/AJ van der Merwe. |  |
| Apart from being very busy as a corporate entertainer, recent endeavours include the highly successful HOOKED ON SWING! with the young jazz sensation Bev Rinkwest, supported by the Ralston van der Schyff Trio. This highly acclaimed show is praised by public and critics alike, and is much in demand, with bookings already extending far into 2006. |  |
 |
His latest production is VIBRAVO!, a rich and robust feast of song with alternating tenors Jannie Moolman and Louis Loock, Phantom of the Opera star Rory Rootenberg, the brilliant operatic baritone Fikile Mvinjelwa and of course Charl himself, supported by a 5-piece band. VIBRAVO!, scripted by Fiona Coyne, opened to packed houses and rave reviews at Aardklop Nasionale Kunstefees in Potchefstroom in September 2005. |
WHAT THE CRITICS SAY ABOUT CHARL: LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL REVIEWS:
“A wonderful voice is a rare gift. The more versatility and range a singer has, the more people he can communicate with. Charl van Heyningen is such a man.”
THE CITIZEN
“Van Heyningen succeeds in doing what Pavarotti and Bryan Adams did – getting you to stamp your feet to the beat of opera arias. Von Memerty’s genius can be seen in this. With so much talent in one production, it simply has to be a success”
THE STAR
“The rich, robust voice of Charl van Heyningen lends itself beautifully to the sultry tones of the Latin love songs… remarkable singer… versatile range… rare talent… let his heart-melting tones take you on a journey of love.”
THE CITIZEN
EASTERN PROVINCE HERALD 18 APRIL 2003
LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL
Evening of sheer pleasure
Entertainment Editor Bob Eveleigh saw Charl van Heyningen’s latest show, All for Love, which plays two performances at the Barn on Friday and Saturday nights, at a special “invited audience’’ evening at the same venue in October last year. His review, written at that time, is re-printed on this page for the information of PE’s cabaretgoers.
LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL with Charl van Heyningen. Devised and directed by Ian von Memerty (The Barn).
CHARL van Heyningen is probably an unknown face and voice to most Port Elizabethans who might not have caught him in shows at recent National Arts Festivals.
But the opera-trained singer is unlikely to stay so after this debut cabaret in the Friendly City.
His show, yet another masterminded by the many-sided Ian von Memerty, is two hours of genuine, sit back and enjoy pleasure, including classic songs in English, Italian and Afrikaans and some deft light-hearted linking humour.
This is a programme basically designed to showcase the fine voice of Charl van Heyningen – and it accomplishes just that.
In fact, he almost rivals Rory Rootenberg in his ability to range from bass to tenor with ease – an aspect that is shown to advantage in a really clever look at some golden oldies (Sixteen Tons, Chain Gang, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, Only You) proving how the pop voice has risen in tone from the ’50s Tennessee Ernie Ford to Michael Jackson and Co today.
Although the star has fun with a “drunken” Russian medley and sending up Time to Say Goodbye (making the point that dumping your girlfriend in song in most languages is heartless but in Italian it actually still sounds romantic), he is at his best singing more seriously.
That doesn’t mean “heavy” for, to hear him let go with Lerner and Loewe’s On the Street Where You Live and a wonderful medley of Italian “pops” (operatic and Neapolitan including Figaro, The Toreador Song, O Sole Mio, Valencia and Funiculi Funicula, the last two accompanied by audience clap-along), really makes your evening.
But there are many other pleasures in store such as his solo, beautifully staged and lit by Von Memerty, of the Phantom standout, Music of the Night.
Another highlight comes with a quite wonderful new Italian song written by Ian von Memerty and sung in voice over recording by another guest in Manuel Escorcio, while Van Heyningen translates the lyrics into Afrikaans before singing brilliant baritone harmony to Escorcio’s fine tenor.
The line-up also includes other excellent Von Memerty originals from Van Heyningen’s CD album of the same title.
With some songs backtracked and others using live piano accompaniment, this is a show eminently worth seeing.
If you enjoy hearing well-chosen material equally well sung, rush to the Barn this weekend.
HOOKED ON SWING! REVIEWS:
CAPE TIMES MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 2004
Hooked on the deeper, mellow side of swing
HOOKED ON SWING featuring Charl van Heyningen and Bev Rinkwest and Herschel Mair on drums, Ralston van der Schyff on piano, and Graham Jacobs on bass. At On Broadway Wednesdays to Saturdays until August 21. Tickets cost R65.00. Book on 021 418 8338 or 021 421 6668. REVIEW SERGIO BEN
ROBBIE WILLIAMS did it… Michael Bublè was in town to show us a thing or two and now swing lovers can plug into van Heyningen and Rinkwest’s take on swing music.
Hooked on Swing is a sophisticated show for On Broadway, the venue normally associated with campy, frothy and mega-outrageous productions. This one’s for the grownups.
The production is stylish, suave and engenders a finger-clicking mood ideal for an entertaining, yet relaxed, evening out on the town.
Swing lovers might have one concern. There is no pizzazz, whoopsiedaisy or theatrical trimmings. Emphasis is on the music and this duo deliver the goods.
On paper, the playlist doesn’t look all that appealing. One or two numbers might raise an eyebrow or two, but hearing the crystalline purity of Rinkwest’s voice married to van Heyningen’s, does put you in a wonderful, erotically charged mood.
The eroticism slithers a few scales up with Rinkwest doing her own take on Black Coffee with Afrikaans lyrics.
Swart Koffie is a sultry mood enhancer, subdued lighting rendering Rinkwest a figure of tragic lust, or love gone awry…take your pick.
Rinkwest and van Heyningen work well together.
During the production, they give a brief history of the show’s genesis.
The show hums with an honest and sincere pulse.
The vocal and musical arrangements are not always perfect, but if you want to listen to flawless music, best to stay home and pop in a CD, or sit in on a recording in a studio.
Rinkwest and van Heyningen exploit the intimacy and magic of a live performance and give added depth to evergreen favourites such as Fever, They Can’t Take That Away From Me, Nature Boy, I Got Rhythm and Night and Day.
Van Heyningen’s haunting rendition of the melodies in Nature Boy, are superb. Gooseflesh is a given.
With the addition of Swart Koffie to the playlist, the two took the gap to broaden the scope of swing, or how we perceive music, with a more South-African take – like ghoema and Cape jazz standards – also being given centre stage.
Do not expect high octane, revved-up big band, hoohah.
Rinkwest and van Heyningen opted to present the lesser known swing standards and to give the audience a relaxed, entertaining night out on the town.
CAPE ARGUS TONIGHT
Hooked on Swing
August 6, 2004
By Bianca Coleman
Hooked on Swing
Reviewer: Bianca Coleman
Performers: Charl van Heyningen and Bev Rinkwest
Venue: On Broadway, Wednesdays to Saturdays until August 21
"No frills," says Charl van Heyningen, and there aren't.
No glitzy costumes, no fancypants dance steps, no pyrotechnics or sophisticated lighting. What you do get, though, is just over an hour of wonderful songs beautifully sung, supported by a superb three-piece jazz band.
Hooked On Swing is a trip down memory lane, not only for the audience but for the performers who chose songs that have stood out for them.
They share their nostalgic moments in a chatty and informal way, but the show is more about the music than the patter in between.
With duets and solos, they take you through a repertoire which includes favourites like Night And Day, Fever, The Lady Is A Tramp and Behind Close Doors.
It's not all predictable either. Rinkwest does an adaptation of Black Coffee in Afrikaans - Swart Koffie - and there's an Afrikaans medley as well.
As Van Heyningen says, just about anything can take on a swing beat.
Then, with the help of keyboardist extraordinaire Ralston van der Schyff, goes on to prove it with Song Sung Blue, melding into Sweet Caroline - much to the delight of the audience who sang along lustily on opening night.
What a great idea to have a live trio, the Hershel Mair Band, on the tiny stage, instead of a backing track. The genre demands it, and it certainly makes all the difference.
The aforementioned Van der Schuyff is a highlight, with the way he lovingly caresses those romantic notes out of the keys.
Other moments which stood out were Van Heyningen's Nature Boy, an alternative to the too-obvious Unforgettable by Nat King Cole; and Rinkwest's Moon Dance.
It's impossible not to tap your toes and click your fingers to this cheerful show.
Suiwer genot, bekoring vir jazz-aanhangers
Marelize van Taak 10/08/2004 09:13 - (SA)
MUSIEK: Hooked on swing, met Charl van Heyningen en Bev Rinkwest. In On Broadway, Groenpunt. Tot 21 Augustus.
CHARL VAN HEYNINGEN is al geruime tyd bekend in kabaretkringe, en 'n mens sou dink gevestigde vermaaksterre sal aanhou staatmaak op die resep wat vir hulle werk. Maar Van Heyningen het onlangs 'n dapper stap in 'n ander rigting gedoen: na die heerlike hedonistiese klanke van die swing-genre.
Want dít is presies wat swing is: suiwer genot. Geen reëls, geen rigiede laaste akkoord, en geen beperking. Dít het Van Heyningen baie goed uitgewys deur Neil Diamond se "Song sung blue" en 'n keurspel van FAK-treffers kundig te laat swaai.
As jy eers gewoond geraak het aan dié romerige, soet smaak wat nog lank nadat die laaste note weggesterf het, op jou tong talm, sal jy gou vind dat min dinge só lekker is. En die gepaardgaande verbeeldingsvlug is net so kosbaar. By die aanhoor van liedjies soos "God bless the child" en "Nature Boy" gaan draai my gedagtes altyd na 'n rokerige vertrek met 'n enkele mismoedige figuur wat in die dowwe lig van 'n kaal gloeilamp sit. Langs hom op die tafel staan 'n halfleë whiskybottel.
Kry jy ook daardie eensame dog vertroostende gevoel?
Van Heyningen se medekunstenaar in die stuk, Bev Rinkwest, is 'n tipiese jazz-sangeres wat ewe nonchalant op 'n kroegstoeltjie sit, onderdeur haar wimpers vir die gehoor loer en doen wat sy die meeste geniet: haar fluweelstem laat hoor.
Hoewel nog jonk en onbekend, is Rinkwest uitgeknip vir dié tipe ontspanne sangstyl. Sy is iemand om dop te hou.
Albei kunstenaars se solosang was goed, en in die duette het hul stemme mekaar uitstekend gevind. Die Herschel Mair Band, wat uit Ralston van der Schyff (klavier), Graham Jacobs (baskitaar) en Herschel Mair (tromme) bestaan, het vir begeleiding van hoë gehalte gesorg en die gehoor getrakteer op etlike spontane solo's en meesterlike improvisasie.
Die simbale wat liggies met die kwaste gepiets word, die heeltyd teenwoordige basklanke wat 'n lomerigheid deur jou laat beweeg en Van der Schyff se vingers wat rats oor die klawers hop - dít is die hart van swing.
Aanvanklik was die aanbieding 'n bietjie styf en wou die interaksie tussen die verhoog en die gehoor nie vlot nie. Dít kan egter op enige produksie se openingsaand gebeur, en kort voor lank het almal driftig en koorsagtig saam ge-"fever all through the night". 'n Paartjie het selfs op die stukkie oop vloer tussen die tafels - skaars groter as 'n sakdoek - begin dans.
Hooked on swing en On Broadway met sy lekker borde kos en outydse bekoring waarborg 'n ontspanne, vermaaklike aand uit.
Bev van Malmesbury is geen plaasvervanger -- sy's gestuur
Crossover en Swing: Swaai! Bev Rinkwest, Charl van Heyningen, Robbie Stemmet (baskitaar), Herschel Mair (tromme) en Ralston van der Schyff (klavier) Kango-wynhuis 8, 9 en 10 April 2004
MIN sangers kry dit reg om gehore hoendervleis te gee. Bev Rinkwest en Charl van Heyningen in Swaai! is egter albei sulke sangers.
Charl van Heyningen sou aanvanklik hierdie keurspel van swing-treffers en saam met Sarah Theron aanbied. Theron sou egter tev eel hooi op haar vurk gedurende die kunstefees hê, enmoes haar onttrek. Wat nou gemaak?! 'n Plaasvervanger moes dringend gevind word. Dis toe dat Herschel Mair, tromspeler in Swaai! , voorstel dat Rinkwest, 'n sangeres van Malmesbury, genader word om Theron se plek te vul.
Sy is egter geen plaasvervanger nie. Sy is 'n bestiering.
Bev Rinkwest se sensuele, romerige stem gee nuwe, en verruklike dimensies aan ou Swingtreffers soos "Fever" (Elvis Presley) en "Black Coffee" (Ella Fitzgerald).
Haar eie weergawe, "Swart Koffie", bewys dat sexy melanko liese jazz moontlik is in Afrikaans. Rinkwest se soepel interpretasie van Van Morrisson se "Moon Dance" is beter as die oorspronklike weergawe. Haar stem swaai en sweef deur die note totdat die gehoor koue rillings (of dalk eerder warm rillings) het. Sy het werklik besonderse talent.
Die ryk stem van Van Heyningen, wat in die verlede saam met oubekende Manuel Escorcio, opgetree het, is aangrypend in "Nature Boy" van Nat King Cole. Hy is 'n talentvolle sanger en het boonop 'n aangename verhoogpersoonlikheid.
Die dinamiek en tydsberekening tussen die stemwerk en instrumente is byna foutloos, nes dit hoort in goeie jazz/swing. Veral Herschel Mair se jazz-perkussie is in die kol.
Ralston van der Schyff se klavierspel in "Swart Koffie" is onverbeterlik en Robbie Stemmet op die baskitaar verleen die regte atmosfeer aan die musiek.
Afrikaanse liedjies wat hulle verleen tot die swing, oftewel goema-ritme, het die gehoor laat juig en hande klap.
Die vertolking van Amerikaanse jazz en swing is egter die beste sy van die program. -- Karen Breytenbach
MOVIES GREATEST MUSIC REVIEWS:
Die Burger 12 Augustus 2003
ONTSNAP NA DIE FILMWERELD
Renee Belcher
KABARET: Movies Greatest Music,
Met Charl van Heyningen, Anize du Plessis en AJ van der Merwe. Musiekregisseur: Chris Harper. Teks: Alan Swerdlow en Russel Savadier. Tot 16 Augustus in GrandWest se Roxy Revue Bar
Met die intrapslag is ‘n mens reeds in die glanswereld van MGM: Die Roxy, die reuse-kristalkandelaar, die goud-omraamde verhoog met sy fluweelgordyn.
Vir Stanley (Andre-Jacques van der Merwe) is sy videowinkel sy heiligdom. Hier word hy deel van die towerwereld van kunstenaars soos Bogart en Bergman, Abba en Streisand.
Die akteurs is entoesiasties en fokus op een ding – om te vermaak. Soos met Stanley haal hulle ons vir ‘n ruk uit die saai alledaagse bestaan en neem hulle ons saam movies toe! Stanley, die drama queen wat sy flieks soos die palm van sy hand ken, dra die pittige teks skerp en oortuigend oor.
Charl van Heyningen, operasanger wat die wereld van ligte musiek suksesvol betree het, se veelsydigheid, energie en speelse aanslag voer die gehoor mee. Deur die Godfather-gegewe te gebruik, slaag die regisseur op ‘n vindingryke manier daarin om Rossini se Figaro-aria uit die Barbier van Seviglia in te sluit. Hierdeur imponeer Van Heyningen se groot en ryke omvang die gehoor.
So ook kry elke speler die kans om sy of haar besondere talent ten toon te stel: Anize du Plessis se vertolking van die musiek, van Dolly Parton tot Celine Dion, bewys haar veelsydigheid. Daarby is haar lyf- en gesigspel bedrewe en sensueel.
Om nie te vergeet van die spiertier wat agter die klawers sit nie. Chris Harper lyk soos ‘n post-modernistiese rock en roller. Sy klavierspel is soepel en seepglad. Die gehoor is deurentyd van sy persona bewus deur die interaksie wat tussen hom en die ander spelers plaasvind.
Die afgeronde regie bewerkstellig ‘n bevredigende eenheid. Bindingselemente soos subtiele verwysings na klassieke films soos Casablanca word ingespan en eenvoudige rekwisiete word effektief gebruik om gladde oorgange te verseker. Klank en beligting is uitstekend.
Die tannie langs my het net gemor dat sy darem gehoop het Elvis sou ook sy opwagting maak.
Movies greatest music
June 27, 2003
By Sacha Craig
Performers: Charl van Heyningen, Lisa Melman, Andre-Jacques van der Merwe; Chris Harper (piano) Venue: On Broadway, Green Point, Wednesday to Saturdays until July 5
Musical fantasy in a movie shop.
Right off the bat one would instantly notice that this show is of course a musical based on movies.
The show takes place in a video shop where we first meet Stanley (Andre-Jacques van der Merwe), a bubbly, 40-year-old, Barbra Streisand-loving video shop owner who spends his time fantasising about becoming a director.
Not only does he have a vast knowledge when it comes to everything movie-related, he also has a special gift, he can see dead people namely promising local actress turned Hollywood star Lulu (Lisa Melman), silent film star Roderick (Charl van Heyningen) and the talented pianist Sam (Chris Harper).
However, these walking dead are not here to haunt poor ol' Stan but solely to entertain him and the audience with renditions of a host of classic movie soundtracks and musical medleys. The cast does a good job at doing just that.
They try to involve the audience as much as possible, be it singing along or with Roderick serenading women in the audience with his rendition of Unchained Melody and Lulu playfully teasing the men with the Full Monty hit You Can Leave Your Hat On.
The audience is also treated to a delightful instrumental medley by Sam where he performs music from The Piano as well as Pulp Fiction, to name a few.
This musical should appeal to both young and old, as the songs are derived from such classic and timeless pieces of art as The Lion King, Titanic, Grease, West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof and even Moulin Rouge.
As an added bonus, you can even buy a CD of the show's music in either instrumental or vocal format to enjoy in the comfort of your own home.
One thing is for sure, you are bound to at least know three or four of the songs contained in this show's lengthy playlist.
Alan Swerdlow and Russel Savadier have written a show that flows incredibly well in its 75 minutes and it definitely aims to tickle your funny bone, get you singing along and have you tapping your feet from start to finish.
Silver screen songs provide haunting night of memories
July 2, 2003
By Peter Tromp
Movies greatest music, with Charl van Heyningen, Lisa Melman, André-Jacques van der Merwe and Chris Harper. At On Broadway, Green Point until Saturday.
Every movie lover's heart will warm at the wonderful offer On Broadway has cooked up for the winter weeks. Imagine myriad movie songs and themes performed by professionals at their height and you're near to figuring out what this show is about.
The show has an interesting premise as a starting point. It concerns Stanley (André-Jacques van der Merwe), who is the quirky owner of a video store that is haunted by the ghosts of two old Hollywood stars, Lulu (Lisa Melman) and Roderick (Charl van Heyningen).
Before long, they break out into harmonious song and Stanley, not too perturbed by their otherworldly presence, can't help but join them in singing tributes to the movies he loves so much.
The reason one goes to see a show like this is for the music - and it doesn't disappoint. The cast - each of whom has an individual vocal style - do justice to the incredible range of tunes. Melman starts out the diva, but soon we discover she is more of a goofball and shines as one. Charl has a great romantic and quirky presence and he had perhaps the night's best moment, performing Largo Al Factotum from the 1954 film version of The Barber of Seville with panache.
The music's range is so all-encompassing it runs the gamut of kids at the movies - with such hits as Bare Necessities from The Jungle Book and Hakuna Matata from The Lion King - includes the obligatory Barbara Streisand and Bette Midler moments. (This is Green Point, after all). As such, this is a show that you could take the family to see.
The members of the cast are immaculate sports and seem to be having a ball which, of course, translates to the audience and establishes a great energy. Van Heyningen's singing of Gimme a Head of Hair will have you howling with laughter and sympathy.
Van der Merwe is a great comic presence as Stanley. Even when one thinks one has grown tired of his gay shtick, he delivers such a wonderful line or has such a good moment in song - such as in Abba's Dancing Queen from Muriel's Wedding - that one forgives him and the scriptwriters their repetition.
Chris Harper, whose virtuosity at the piano is matched by his hunky appeal, has a good segment performing instrumental versions of music from Schindler's List, The Piano and Pulp Fiction.
The set, a simple one with Mr Video-style wallpaper, may at first sight seem tacky, but one soon realises the involving effect it has.
This show has its tongue planted firmly in its cheek, but when it does music, it does so with gusto and conviction. In other words, a great night's entertainment.
| Home | Entertainment consultant | Promoter | Publicist | Producer | Performer | MC | Commercial voice-over artist | Translator | Biog | Contact |