Archie Roach: Creation – Adelaide Cabaret Festival Review

Dunstan Playhouse, Fri Jun 20 There can be no doubt that the packed Dunstan Playhouse audience were there to see a living legend. Roach arrived on stage to a warm welcome, the anticipation in the theatre almost palpable. Singing songs from the recently released Creation (a 4 box set that include digitally remastered versions of his first four albums) Roach took the crowd on a journey that few artists could hope to emulate. From Move It On, to the iconic Took The Children Away Roach was mesmerising, both as performer and storyteller. Joined onstage by the fabulous harmonies of Ellie Lovegrove, Nancy Bates and Mindy Kwanten, Roach’s music is in equal parts both timeless and unforgettable. His superb band, led by Craig Pilkington on guitar, breathed life into Roach’s classics with the wonderful sounds of Jen Anderson’s violin adding new layers of emotion. Roach introduced each song with a story, an explanation as to its ‘creation’, essentially. At these times his humour, dignity and respect for country was a pleasure to witness. Declaring young children and babies to be the most spiritual people on earth, his delivery of Small Child was a powerful experience for all. Likewise, Walking Into Doors was equally emotional for Roach and his audience. Wiping away a tear, he changed direction, paying tribute to his much loved and sadly missed wife Ruby Hunter, sharing the humorous story of how her song, the popular Down City Streets, ended up on Roach’s Charcoal Lane album. Yet it was when he gifted the room with Old Mission Road that Roach opened himself completely to his audience, sharing his journey from the campfire, to the city and back again, and urging everyone to do the same regardless of where their ‘campfire’ first began. A visibly emotional Roach then shared his hope that we will all might sit at that campfire together. The reaction from a touched audience was spontaneous and heartfelt – a shout of “Archie, you are a National Treasure!” could be heard – leading to a standing ovation that was moving and well deserved. Returning for his encore, We Won’t Cry from his Into The Bloodstream album, Roach was clearly tired yet his distinctive, soulful voice never missed a beat. Archie Roach is definitely Icon, Legend and more. by Rosie van Heerde Archie Roach performs Creation at Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre, until Sat Jun 21.