Review: A Starry Night in Theatre with Daniel Anderson’s Mesmerising Performance in ‘Vincent’

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As the hush of the crowd fell over the Theatre on the Square, an intimate space nestled in the heart of Johannesburg, I was all anticipation, seated in the thrumming quiet of opening night. “Vincent – his quest to love and be loved” had captured the whispers of the theatre world and tonight, it was time to experience the magic firsthand.

The stage was set for a performance that would introduce us to the beloved and tormented figure of Vincent Van Gogh. The award-winning Daniel Anderson, renowned for his poignant and moving vocals, was ready to take us on a journey into the heart and mind of one of history’s most misunderstood artists.

Upon the first notes sung by Anderson and the gentle brushstrokes of Germaine Gamiet’s piano, I was entranced, submerged into Vincent’s world. This immersive experience was heightened by the backdrop of Van Gogh’s paintings projected onto the stage, vividly animating Vincent’s haunting journey through life. The soulful rendition of Queen’s ‘Somebody to Love’ encapsulated Vincent’s longing for connection, a moment so achingly poignant it clung to the silence that followed, resonating with everyone in the room.

“Vincent – his quest to Love and be loved” is more than a typical show; it is an emotional voyage into the heart of a man who desired love – to give it and to receive it. With his life plagued by mental health issues, unrequited love, and career hurdles, Vincent remained unwavering in his pursuit of artistic excellence and unconditional love.

Directed by the masterful Amanda Bothma and produced by Wêla Kapela Productions, the show presents a powerful narrative, with Anderson’s soulful vocals and Gamiet’s delicate accompaniment creating an atmosphere of passionate honesty. There is a directness, an unfettered access to the raw emotions of Vincent that is rarely achieved in theatre.

This tribute is so much more than an exploration of Van Gogh, the man infamous for cutting off his own ear. It delves into the depths of his persona, peeling back the layers of his relentless drive to create and his unquenchable thirst for love. “Vincent – his quest to Love and be loved” is not just a tribute, but an intimate portrait of a complex man whose life was a vibrant palette of love, pain, and unyielding creativity.

Having recently been nominated for a Fleur du Cap Theatre Award, this multimedia musical show is indeed a must-watch. The show runs at the Theatre on the Square until the 10th of June and if my experience is anything to go by, it will leave you pondering the depths of this remarkable man, long after the final curtain falls. This has been, without a shadow of a doubt, my theatrical highlight of the year thus far.

BRAVO Daniel Anderson, BRAVO Germaine Gamiet and BRAVO Amanda Bothma!