Songs My Aunties Taught Me | Heru Pinkasova & Dr Rhythm
The moment Aunty Heru steps onto the stage her charisma and confidence are felt, and this is quickly backed up as she begins to sing her first notes. Her powerful voice had me immediately captivated and without knowing exactly what was going to come, I knew by her singing alone I would be in for something good. ‘Songs My Aunties Taught Me’ is a rich musical journey featuring PNG-born songstress Heru Pinkasova and beatboxer (among other talents) Jonny Drama aka Dr Rhythm.
The show title inspired by Antonín Dvořák’s ‘Songs my mother taught me’ gives an indication of its operatic influences, however it’s much more than opera. There are the more traditional performances where Heru shines showcasing her vocal range with professionalism and class, but where it becomes interesting is the performances where Jonny adds in the beatboxing and hip-hop aspects to create something unique. The melding of the two genres never clash and there’s a harmonious beauty with the meeting of classical music and urban sounds.
Heru’s passion for the classical is evidently shown, but her love for various music genres is also on full display.
It never felt pretentious nor did I feel intimidated that I might not understand it. I was engaged from beginning to end and left wanting more and as the show finished there was a huge applause from the crowd. Heru and Jonny prove that classical music doesn’t always have to be typical or for a certain audience, it can be hip and modern while also retaining its traditions. It can be fresh, exciting, funny, and even self-deprecating without being insulting. It tears down the preconceived notions that one might have towards an operatic performance and creates a blend of various styles and with that a broader appeal.
In between each piece, Aunty Heru weaves in her personal story and provides a backstory and context for each song. Sharing her influences and allowing the audience to feel a real connection. Each piece has more meaning beyond its original as Heru adds her perspective to it. Before her performance of ‘Summertime,’ Heru shares a bit about the history of George Gershwin’s piece from ‘Porgy and Bless’ and how it’s only licensed to all black casts. The knowledge that she brings not only shows how important each song is to her but also allows the audience to gain an education about the history of the music she is performing.
The interactions between Heru and Jonny Drama brings out a humorous side to the show and the chemistry between them is endearing as it feels like they have both known each other for a long time and that they have toured lengthy with this show despite it being their first. As talented as Heru is with her voice, Jonny’s beatboxing skills are similarly impressive. He was given the opportunity to show his strengths as much as Heru gets to show what makes her great, adding in his versatile voice over talent and playing the role as MC, the back and forth dynamic between them created a fun atmosphere. It was serious when it needed to be serious but also fun and relaxed. It never felt like a chore and throughout the journey there was enough twists and turns that it never became predictable.
If traditional theatre isn’t your taste, then ‘Songs my aunties taught me’ might provide the alternative that you’re searching for. I was pleasantly surprised at how well the mash up of styles worked together to create an energetic and captivating performance that succeeds at its familiar genres while managing to stand out on its own.
