CD’s – The Bridge

We have taken “The Bridge” literally and figuratively to venues and theatres countrywide (the whole metal structure too) and to three festivals (Karoo, Hadeda – Tzaneenfees, Kalahari Kuierfees – Upington) and finally we bring it to you, since you asked for it.

Helena Hettema, cabaret artist and songwriter who is known countrywide for writing and singing the theme song for the Sonkring TV series some years ago.

Once again she will be bringing to the KKNK her latest cabaret, The Bridge that had its debut to critical acclaim at this year’s Karoo Arts Festival. To quote from a review of the show “haar ongelooflike stem en oneindige energie is betowerend van begin tot end en sy slaag deurentyd daarin om haar gehoor op hul tone te hou…word briljant deur Alwyn van Heerden op klavier begelei…”

Helena also performed this show at the Tzaneen Festival in July and the Sterrewag Theatre in Bloemfontein and the Kalahari Kuierfees in Upington, to full houses and standing ovations.

To quote from Die Volksblad: “Genoeg boeiendheid in haar voordrag en stem om die gehoor in die holte van haar hand te hou…”

En: “Lei na ‘n musikale ervaring wat lank nog op stewige pilare in die gedagtes en die gemoed sal bly staan…”

She and her pianist of seven years, Alwyn van Heerden were invited to perform in London, Belgium and Holland on invitation at the end of September.

Helena is also continuously performing The Bridge at other venues and theatres throughout the country such as the Centurion Theatre and the prestigious Teaterhuisie of Carel and Petru Trichardt in Pretoria.

Here follows a description of The Bridge:.

Director: Daniel de Lange

Script Helena Hettema and Daniel de Lange

Pianist Alwyn van Heerden.

TRACKS:

  1. LOOK WHAT THEY’VE DONE TO MY SONG
  2. PEARL’S A SINGER
  3. TOLBOS IN DIE WIND – Helena Hettema & D. Cousins
  4. OLD FASHIONED GIRL
  5. MERCEDES BENZ – O Millennium Marvellous (Poem Helena Hettema)
  6. FROM A DISTANCE
  7. BALLAD OF LUCY JORDAN
  8. LOVE IS LIKE CHAMPAGNE
  9. MY FUNNY VALENTINE
  10. IT’S WONDERFUL
  11. MY DEATH, IF YOU GO AWAY, I WILL WAIT FOR YOU, CAN’T HELP FALLING IN LOVE
  12. JOAN OF ARC
  13. DUIZEND KEER
  14. I THINK IT’S GONNA RAIN TODAY
  15. WASTED, WOUNDED -Helena Hettema
  16. LOOK WHAT THEY’VE DONE TO MY SONG
  17. CAROUSEL ENCORES
  18. NO REGRETS
  19. LA VIE EN ROSE
  20. MARIEKE

REVIEWS:
Helena Hettema, cabaret artist and songwriter who is known countrywide for writing and singing the theme song for the Sonkring TV series some years ago.

Once again she will be bringing to the KKNK her latest cabaret, The Bridge that had its debut to critical acclaim at this year’s Karoo Arts Festival. To quote from a review of the show “haar ongelooflike stem en oneindige energie is betowerend van begin tot end en sy slaag deurentyd daarin om haar gehoor op hul tone te hou…word briljant deur Alwyn van Heerden op klavier begelei…”

In this show Hettema crosses the bridge between the past and the future to self-realisation in the present. The new millennium, spirituality, characters from different social backgrounds such as Joan of Arc, Lucy Jordan, Pearl’s a Singer and an autistic child in My Funny Valentine, also characterise the show. She also sings her latest song Wasted Wounded (highly acclaimed at the Sterrewag) and her well-known song Tolbos in die Wind.

Helena crosses social and musical boundaries with music in six languages (English, Afrikaans, French, Dutch Flemish and Italian) and different styles from Marian Faithful to Elvis, Joplin to Judy Collins, Cohen, Brel, Conte, Minelli and Hettema. She also sings a few cuts from her latest CD Dreaming released in July 2000 and chosen by Beeld as the fourth best CD of the year 2000. Her previous CD Helena Hettema Highlights was nominated in 1999 SAMA Award (SA Music Awards) in the category Best Contemporary Afrikaans CD.

In July 2001, Helena was nominated for a Vita Theatre Award in the category Best Musical Revue and Best Costume Design for her cabaret Legends and a Touch of Me. The Bridge will also now be available on CD.