Image of

POPULAR Centrestage diva and songstress Donna Africa is joined by Idols top-14 finalist and boy-band Escape member Thuba Myeki for a three-night run of her new show Big Voice, Big Heart, taking place at Chaplins at Uptown from July 28 to 30.

In the cabaret-styled show, Africa pays tribute to the big voiced divas, including Dame Shirley Bassey, the leggy Tina Turner and some “friends”.

Taking on the challenge of emulating superstar Bassey is no mean feat, a task which Africa meets head- on as she sets her powerful voice to popular songs such as This is My Life, Diamonds are Forever, Big Spender and I Am What I Am.

Aside from her vocal prowess, Africa uses her uncanny knack for impersonation to bring the music and the antics of the big-hearted Tina Turner to the stage, as the show includes a 10-song homage to the wild and ever youthful Nutbush City Limits First Lady of Rock.

From Private Dancer, What’s Love Got to Do With It, Let’s Stay Together and Proud Mary to Simply the Best, Africa will emulate the raw growl and energy which is the Tina Turner trademark.

“Friends” joining in the performance include salutes to the likes of Gladys Knight, whose magnificent story portrayal of I Will Survive is a show-stopper in itself – and the searing Alexandra Burke rendition of Hallelujah.

Myeki will join Africa for some playful big-band duets such as It Had to Be You and I Won’t Dance and the poignant Bon Jovi/Leeane Rhimes Till We Ain’t Strangers Anymore – and shows his own sense of sparkle on more recent hits such as Michael Buble’s Haven’t Met You Yet and You Know Me by Robbie Williams.

Big Heart, Big Voice is the coming-of-age show of a Port Elizabeth performer who has paid her dues as she regularly brings Centrestage audiences to their feet.

Tickets for the show can be booked at R75 through Computicket – shows start at 7.30pm.