There Was a Boy

“There was a Boy, a very strange enchanted Boy…” Eden Ahbez wrote the song, though Nat King Cole made it famous and Adam Noviello has picked it for the title of his new cabaret show.

There’s something special about Adam Noviello, and if you haven’t heard of him yet, you undoubtedly will. Tall and a little bit gangly, he calls to mind a young David Bowie – androgynous, beautiful and difficult to categorise - like the song, he is a strange enchanted boy. The talent is obvious; the body moves with grace; the hands seem to convey emotions more poignantly than any ballet dancer; the voice, especially in the head register, is angelic and pure, and his understanding and interpretation of lyrics is quite outstanding. And just for good measure he also writes, composes, and plays the piano…all of which impressed his audience and yours truly no end. Interestingly, he seems completely at ease and connects immediately with his audience, something one doesn’t often see in such a young performer.

The cabaret is largely autobiographical and covers Adam’s childhood growing up and going to school in Mill Park, not an area known for lithe limbed theatre types. It’s clear that Adam simply didn’t fit in, and had the courage not to try to. But this is no pity party. Adam has crafted a script which neatly balances humour with poignancy, so we feel connected to his journey throughout. The humour is gentle and covers his mother’s overdramatic reactions to his performances, him falling madly in love with a girl (yes, A GIRL), performances at Eistedfodd’s and all the usual pains of adolescence. The music is largely original, with songs by Adam and by the uber talented Shannon Whitelock, whose new song “The Pyre” makes great impact; but there are nods to Kurt Weil, Bowie and his signature “Starman” and the amazing Charles Aznavour with the song “What makes a man a man”, which Adam and his Musical Director and accompanist Stephanie –Jane Lewendon-Lowe imbue with a tango feel. The show ends with a touching version of “Nature Boy”. Director and choreographer Leanne Marsland (who is also responsible for the excellent lighting design executed by Hayley Fox) has kept the moves containable and focussed Adam where necessary. But it’s the “Boy” himself who deserves the accolades for his talent and fresh appeal. He’s definitely someone to watch in the future.

Coral Drouyn