Rehearsals for the Tiroir aux Souvenirs 4, which will perform at the Caudan Arts Centre on September 19 and 20, are in full swing. The concept behind this musical was developed by Andy Banan, Didier Jeewooth, and Rony Appadoo, is to bring back to life some of the greatest moments in pop and rock music’‘n’ roll to sega, including the crooners, from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s, by bringing their performers back to the stage. Dominique Bellier
“Ever since the second edition,” explains Andy J. Banan, “artists have been calling us to take part in this show, and each time, these concerts bring to life the most beautiful aspects of Mauritian heritage. ” While this show may tap into a sense of nostalgia, its audience spans generations, with younger people accompanying their parents or simply curious about these popular hits that are still very much alive. Marie-Josée Clency, for example, is celebrating her 80th birthday this year—and 65 years in the business! The Queen of Sega is sure to move the audience to tears, get them dancing, and then have them laughing this September.
Two singers are coming all the way from Paris especially for this year’s festival… Alan Kaupp had his biggest hit in the 1980s with “Never Be a Stranger, ” which sold 3 million copies. Originally from Port-Louis, he will perform his own compositions and a cover song. A star in his home country in the 1980s, Eddy Caramedon—who is also making the trip—won the RFI Découvertes Award in 1983 with “Souvenirs des anciennes paysannes.” Lindsay Xavier comes from Australia, where he performed in cabarets and played in pubs as a singer and keyboardist. Also based in Australia, Michel Kwon will bring back memories of a time when music was his constant companion. A total of 15 artists, including dancer Jean-Renat Anamah—a longtime disco enthusiast—will take part in this show, hosted on stage by Pamela Patten and narrated backstage by Marie-Michèle Étienne.
