THE smash hit show, Keyboard Killers, returns to the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre this week, with musicians, Bronwen Clacherty and Andrew Warneke joining Ian von Memerty in this popular production.
In an interview with Berea Mail this week, Bronwen said she started playing the recorder when she was five. It was then that her parents realised she had musical talent
“I used to sing with my dad when I was young and I could hold a harmony, which is quite unusual for a child that age, if I do say so myself! My parents decided I should start music lessons. I moved on to piano when I was nine, which I carried on with until Matric. I started playing a drum kit when I was 13 but quickly moved on to percussion that same year,” she said.
Bronwen started percussion lessons on the Vibraphone, which she said is an instrument like a marimba or xylophone, but with metal notes which gives it a warm metallic tone.
“I still play the Vibraphone, which was my first musical love. I played percussion in the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra, which introduced me to other percussion instruments. I only started singing as a professional in the past five years and can’t believe I didn’t start sooner, because I love it,” she said.
Bronwen got involved in Keyboard Killers when Ian needed a percussionist for the show, and after asking around he gave her a call.
“Out of the blue Ian contacted me and asked me if I would be in the show and of course I said yes! I couldn’t pass up a chance to work with Ian. I haven’t worked with him before, but I hope that we will work together a lot in the future. I feel quite pleased to find myself in his show because it’s great to work with him. It’s really entertaining and a whole lot of fun for the audience and for us on stage!” she said.
She also performed in the stage shows Mama Mia in 2010 and Sister Act in 2015.
The talented musician is currently doing her PhD at UCT, so she is buckling down for the next two years which will be busy with research, performing and writing up her thesis. “My research is based in Zanzibar so I will be there for about three months this year, which I’m very excited about. I have my own band, The Tholakele Project, which is going to be a main focus for the year. We perform and write music that is inspired by traditional South African music, and are about to record an album, which is very exciting. Keep an eye out for us because we will be touring South Africa with our new album!” she said.
