Stars in their eyes
Prepare for a night of Las Vegas style entertainment as the island’s finest tribute acts get it together
Cyprus isn’t exactly Las Vegas, but for one night bright lights will shine as stars take to the stage. Head down to the 2nd Paphos Stars! Dinner Show in Chlorakas this Wednesday and you may well feel like you’ve jetted off to another world.
Expect the biggest professional variety show on the island featuring some of the finest entertainers from across the world in a musical spectacular. Following the huge success of last year’s event, this year’s performance promises lots of singing, dancing and laughter all within the ‘Hnioxos’ theatre restaurant.
If you’re an Elton John fan it’s time to play those old records full blast as you wait for Andrew Oliver to present his famous tribute show with all new costumes. This classically-trained English musician has been performing as Elton for over 15 years, having given shows in countless countries from Singapore to South Africa. After an audition for a piano bar residency in London 16 years ago, an agent mentioned how much Andrew looked like Elton. “It was funny because I’d trained in classical piano but the first ‘popular’ song I learned to play was ‘Your Song’, which is a standard for piano bar entertainers,” Andrew said. “With people saying I looked and sounded a bit like him, and being a fan anyway, I suppose it was natural to start doing an Elton John-style show”.
Andrew then went away for a year to study videos of Elton’s shows, learning the full repertoire of songs before even thinking of letting loose on a live audience. When his first show was staged in Worthing it was a huge hit, and since then, he has performed at private parties, restaurants, hotels, theatres and nightclub openings.
Andrew explains that he does the shows as a tribute to Elton, and tries to give as accurate an impression of him as possible. “I probably camp up a bit during the show,” he admits, “but you play to the audience and they seem to love a flamboyant performer, which is what Elton is, after all”. On stage it’s the really famous songs that tend to go down the best with the audience, with Andrew’s all time favourite being ‘Rocket Man’. “If I had to choose, I probably prefer his seventies era where the songs were a bit rockier. I love playing ‘Crocodile Rock’, ‘Saturday Night’s Alright’ and ‘Pinball Wizard’”.
Andrew admits he hasn’t really followed Elton’s flamboyant rock and roll lifestyle and jokes, “I’m more of a ‘half a pint at the bar after the show’ man than going to a wild party”. The costumes though are a glitzy as can be, as Andrew wears clothes formally owned by Elton himself, as well as the flashy glasses and trademark earring. Most are bought from the star’s own charity shop in London, ‘Out of the Closet’. “He turns up with handfuls of his clothes and I go there as often as possible to stock up. The first outfit I ever got was a pair of tight leather trousers and the moment I put them on I felt I became Elton,” Andrew said.
But how does he feel spending so much time perfecting someone else’s show and trying to look like someone else? “Some tribute acts do take it too far, they wake up in the morning and look in the mirror and wonder who they are. But I’m a grounded kind of person and I know I’m playing a part on stage just like actors do. When I take off all the Elton gear, I’m back to being Andrew,” he explained.
He has even received messages of support from Elton John himself who is impressed by the rave reviews Andrew has been given for his shows. And what does he like most about being on stage? “The applause! It just boosts my ego, I simply love the attention and seeing people smile when I’m up there”.
The entertainment doesn’t end with applause for Andrew though, as you’ll also get to see the award-winning Sophie D’wilde as Kylie Minogue who has mastered the moves, the voice and the look. She has been a professional singer and dancer for 10 years and has performed at the Edinburgh Festival, London Hippodrome, London Palace Theatre and many venues other throughout the world. She recently won the Sony Tribute Award in the UK for her great Kylie show.
On the night you can also look forward to Chris King as Elvis Presley, taking you on a trip back in time as he swivels his hips on the stage. Chris has spent years studying Elvis to create the spectacular show. In the performance he will be reliving moments from Elvis’ biggest moments with breathtaking moves.
The supporting cast includes dance group Choromania, magician David Sebastian, guitarist Polys Chralambous, singer Wendi Kaye and TV funny man Costas Costa. You can even have a little boogie on stage with Elvis at the very end. Who says we don’t all have a bit of showman in us waiting to be unleashed?
Andrew Oliver’s 2nd Paphos Stars
Entertainment programme with a three-course dinner gala. September 20. ‘Hnioxos’ theatre restaurant, Chlorakas, Paphos district. 7.30pm. £27. Tel: 99-479683
www.starsdinnershow.com
