Stage review: Lucy Tops is tops in Popcorn at Kalk Bay Theatre

Stage review: Lucy Tops is tops in Popcorn at Kalk Bay Theatre – live band jol

There are three Wednesdays left in January to see Popcorn at The Kalk Bay Theatre. Popcorn is made up of a live band and singers – headed up by Kalk Bay’s resident diva, Lucy Tops. They quip that the show is a “bit poppy and corny” and that makes for popcorn. The playlist includes ACDC, Billy Joel, Tina Turner, Bonnie Tyler, KISS, Elton John, Van Halen, John Farnham, ABBA. I thoroughly enjoyed this high energy show. Lucy Tops – who had a baby in lockdown -is a revelation -as she gives shtick as Rock Chick with the shiniest, tightest pants in Kalk Bay. Tops birthed a baby in lockdown. I have lost track in which year but who cares. She looks great – in tip top physical and vocal form. This is her show. Staying with the theme – poppy and corny- and here is a narrative spoiler alert: Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah gets the corned treatment as Lucy is heralded as hello-Lucy – in place of Hallelujah. Yeah, it is slushy and mushy but this is a send-up and why not. We need a lark, in these pandemic days. Top’s enthusiasm and unbridled joy at being on stage, again, is in evidence throughout the show.

We saw the show on December 22, 2021 and the venue was sold out – as allowed by Covid lockdown regulations. There was a delay in putting up this review as I ended up on Omicron duty, ferrying food and meds to patients but here I am, just in time to alert you to the last three Wednesdays of Popcorn, at the Kalk Bay Theatre in January 2022- unless the show is extended – which is possible. It was glorious to see a live band on stage in the theatre. The excitement of the audience was palpable. The theatre is a brilliant venue for a live band- intimately embracing the band and singers. When numbers can be increased, I can see the theatre as being a fabulous launch pad for new albums and a space for bands to try out new material. The speakeasy, cabaret vibe and plenty of floor space, give the opportunity for the audience top dance. On the night we attended, the audience was on its feet- just about the whole show – roused by Lucy Tops gyrating in her skin-tight rock chick pants. Popcorn is an energetic and amped band show night at the theatre on the ocean. Try and get a seat tonight, next Wednesday or Wednesday 26. I have been pointing this out in all my Kalk Bay Theatre reviews and will do so again: The sliding windows are being left wide open for ventilation during these pandemic days so in terms of confined spaces, the KBT is pulling out the safety measures. It is lovely to sit in this theatre and be enveloped by the music. Unless, one gets up and dances, like I did.   

❇Featured image: Lucy Tops and Richard Stray in Popcorn, at the Kalk Bay Theatre. Supplied.