⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐For the past ten years, the Night Owl team have been bringing to the Edinburgh Fringe the stories behind musical legends. The irrepressible Reine Beau brings us a brief run through the careers of female rock legends, beginning with a tribute to that largely unsung pioneer, Sister Rosetta Tharp who hit the road with her electric guitar in the 1940s. Chuck Berry and Elvis learned from her. Tharp recalled, ‘Oh, these kids and rock and roll, it’s just sped up rhythm and blues. I’ve been doing that forever.’
After last year’s critical acclaim, Reine Beau – the Queen of Noise – goes on to retell the stories of these often-overlooked rock legends: Janis Joplin, Suzi Quattro, Heart – the first female-fronting rock band – who were sisters Ann and Mary Wilson, The Runaways, Stevie Nicks, Tina Turner, Dolores O’Riordan, and Joan Jett. The pace changes from heavy beats of Devil Gate Drive, the wistfulness of Silver Spring and the righteous anger of Zombie.
Reine Beau knows how to please a crowd. Audience members sang along to familiar lyrics unprompted. They’re encouraged to take pictures and videos of the performance. Night Owl shows are popular for a reason. Seasoned performers – like Reine Beau and the Night Owl Band – know what the audience wants to hear and deliver it with style. This is a perfect introduction to those Women of Rock whose voices deserve to be heard and celebrated.
Reviewd by David Kerr
