Joy of Sax are a merry quartet of saxophonists - Zoë Belbin (alto sax), Rob Downing (baritone sax), Sophie Lawson (soprano sax), Ryan Searle (tenor sax) - who charm and entertain in this cheerful show. A church venue provides excellent acoustics for their mix of music and theatre.

They open with Glenn Miller's lively American Patrol, complete with tap-dancing. PR Girl is another upbeat number, followed by a gear-change into the soothing When I Fall In Love. Next is (US TV show) The Simpsons Theme - apparently the most requested piece for saxophonists - with the band wearing Simpsons-character masks.

The band breaks up the music with a piece of theatre - their interpretation of Peer Gynt - delivered in about 3 minutes with the help of simple props. It's an enjoyable interlude which, as well as being funny, explains the story for the music they are about to perform - extracts from Edvard Grieg's Morning Mood, Aase's Death, Anitra's Dance, and In the Hall of the Mountain King.

Oblivion is a more serious, chilled-out piece. The tempo rises for Black and White Rag.

Sophie Lawson performs a dramatic solo number, Under the Veil - apparently in honour of her recent marriage - accompanied by Rob Downing (baritone sax), Zoë Belbin (percussion), and Ryan Searle (percussion). She takes the music round the church, wandering up and down the aisles.

The band play George & Ira Gershwin's Oh, Lady be Good!. Rob Downing plays the melody in his own arrangement of Csárdás, with the band displaying their flair for theatrics. They finish with animal masks on, playing a medley of tunes from (US film/stage musical) The Lion King.

All four musicians deliver passion and energy, chatting between numbers but not distracting from the music. They use animated facial expressions as they play, and exploit the space imaginatively. Pieces are selected to give a wide appeal. Overall the show is not a highbrow, serious hour of music: it's lively fun.

Music Credits: (in approximate playing order): American Patrol - 1885, writer Frank W Meacham (1850-1896), arranged by Jerry Gray for Glenn Miller (1904–1944). PR Girl - writer Andrew Tweed (b 1963, www.andytweed.bigshedmusic.co.uk). When I Fall In Love - 1952, music by Victor Young (1900-1956), lyrics by Edward Heyman (1907-1981). The Simpsons Theme - 1989, writer Daniel Elfman (b 1953). Peer Gynt - music, 1875, Edvard Grieg (1843-1907), Suite Number 1, Opus 46: (1) Morning Mood (Morgenstemning), (2) Aase's Death (Ĺses dřd), (3) Anitra's Dance (Anitras Dans), (4) In the Hall of the Mountain King (I Dovregubbens hall) - play, 1876, writer Henrik Ibsen (1828–1906). Oblivion (Ástor Piazzolla (1921–1992). Black and White Rag - 1908, writer George Botsford (1874-1949). Under the Veil - Sophie Lawson. Oh, Lady be Good! - 1924, by George Gershwin (1898-1937) & Ira Gerswin (1896-1983). Csárdás, 1904, writer Vittorio Monti (1868-1922), arranged Rob Downing. The Lion King - 1994, songs: music by Elton John (b 1947), lyrics by Tim Rice (b 1944); score by Hans Zimmer (b 1957)

Cast Credits: (alpha order): Performers: Zoë Belbin. Rob Downing. Sophie Lawson. Ryan Searle

Company Credits: Musical Director - uncredited. Technical Operator - uncredited. Producer - uncredited. Company - Sax Collective.

END

(c) Helen Johnson 2008

reviewed August 08 /St Mark's artSpace

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

www.fringereport.com