Lyrics and laughter from Down Under

The performance is being showcased at the Auto & General Theatre on the Square, Sandton from 2 to 6 July.

“This is my first time in South Africa and its people have already touched my heart,” he told the Chronicle. “I have personally felt the tension of the community as Mandela has fallen ill. You are people with passion and I think my visit here will inspire new music for my shows of the future. I heard a beautiful demonstration of Xhosa music when I was in Cape Town, and I am excited to get to work on new compositions with a South African flavour.”

‘Don’t shoot me, I’m only the piano player’, is a collection of comedy, acting, voice impressions and beautiful, catchy music, much of it composed by Scheel himself, who is a trained concert pianist. The one-man-show has evolved over 20 years, as the world around Scheel has changed and new music and punch-lines have come to mind. He calls his music lyrical and says he uses it for social commentary, giving as an example, the upcoming Australian elections which have inspired some humorous interludes.

He explained the origins of his one-man-show career. “After school I trained as an actor and anticipated sticking purely to acting. But then my colleagues heard me play and suggested I put all of my talents together into a single performance. I have never looked back.”

His ‘ear’ is not just for music but for accents. “I am a born mimic and was imitating mannerisms and voices as soon as I could speak. Much to my mother’s amusement,” he said. “I can do 40 different voices. I can be from Russia, India and – while I am still working on it, I can pull off a convincing South African.”

For those will not be able to see his show, he promises to be back soon, having been won over by the country which has pulled together to salute its common heritage of freedom, as expressed through the life and work of Madiba.

Details: www.davidscheel.com.