Donny and Marie

Press, 25 November 1983, Page 4

Donny and Marie

Donny and Marie Osmond, at the Christchurch Town Hall auditorium last evening, 9 p.m. Reviewed by Nevin Topp. Those who expected a repeat of the popular television series, “The Donny and Marie Osmond Show,” would have been disappointed by the second concert in the auditorium. The music was far louder than the television programme, a fact that a few of the older members of the audience might have found hard to come to terms with and there was only one flash of by-play between the two stars, compared with the cut and thrust that was the mark of the television shows. Perhaps it proved that neither artist was prepared to work to a formula, but rather show that they are professional entertainers, , which they did with ease,

even if the show appeared to have no apparent structure. Marie concentrated more on country songs and Donny on rock ‘n’ roll, the words of the song that they used on the television show coming to life — or at least a true expression of thenindividual tastes. There appeared to be a bit much concern about whether the audience was enjoying itself and this may have given a slightly overanxious edge to the early part of the show. New Zealanders are not known to express great emotions in public, but how does one account for the whole audience’s standing in the final song before the encore, raising their fists in time to the music as if it was a break for calisthenics. There was also a bloke from North Canterbury, who came with his girlfriend and “joker” from down the

road, who joined Marie Osmond on stage for a duet on “Crazy.” Ring-in or not, it was funny, a real touch of the country. Because of the medleys of songs and quick interchange of brother and sister, the show never fully developed. But the professional approach by both artists easily overcame this and they justified the standing ovation at the end of the show.

The touch of country also extended to the first half when Billy T. James showed he, too, was an accomplished entertainer. The difficulty about using risque and racial material is the fine ‘line between what is funny and what is offensive. James generally managed to keep it from becoming offensive and gave New Zealanders a chance to laugh at themselves. ■f