Duane Forrest’s show (another one-man performance) is certainly a highlight of this year’s Holden Street Theatre offerings, and a deeply personal, wonderfully moving hour-or-so.
The Jamaican-Canadian Forrest emerges from the aisle and takes the stage to ease us into a celebration of the life and music of the late lamented Bob Marley (1945 – 1981), and after a few songs (and jokes), he starts to talk about our beloved subject. And he introduces memories of his own life back home in Toronto, and how Bob became his idol not just because of the beautiful tunes, but due to the politics. And how Marley became a powerful symbol of resistance.
Beginning Marley’s Buffalo Soldier with a little humour, Duane then breaks in to explain what the song really means, and how it “hits differently” when you understand the deeper themes. This leads to an evocative description of the slave ships that brought stolen Africans to America, as paintings appear projected on the curtains behind him, and the song continues.
The mood subtly shifts throughout: Duane adopts comedic voices to emulate how Bob met the guys who became the Wailers, and this leads to a cool version of their first song, Simmer Down, as well as Do The Reggay (not ‘Reggae’), a 1968 hit by Toots And The Maytals from back in 1968. There are also sneaky bits of non-Bob songs, some not directly influenced by reggae (The Impressions’ People Get Ready) and some very much so (Bobby McFerrin, believe it or not).
And the biggest Bob hits are naturally in there too, with a joyous I Shot The Sheriff, a lovely No Woman, No Cry (again, perhaps not quite the track you think it is), a very sweet Three Little Birds, and, oh yes, One Love.
Of course.
Rating: four stars!
Now on at The Arch at Holden Street Theatres. For more information and to book tickets, visit: adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/bob-marley-how-reggae-changed-the-world-af2026
