ScotsGay Magazine

*****

Liberace with class and without the vulgarity of the fur! Frankie says Liberace on acid. Mark Nadler is a Full Service Entertainer, Actor, Singer, Pianist, Tap Dancer and Mind Reader, who first took to the stage as a child. A well established American showman who has just finished performing at the famous Carnegie Hall. In my opinion, he is what The Edinburgh Fringe is all about, finding a rare diamond in amongst a sea of semi-precious stones! Mark is worthy of The Official International Edinburgh Festival, as opposed to The Fringe, and should be invited to perform in future. He displays his outstanding memory, when delivering an unforgettable performance at break-neck-speed; he is truly a Pianist extraordinaire with flair. A master tutor, who takes us on a classical journey, with appropriate American popular songs which pit perfectly into his story. Mark takes the time to assist the audience with their memorising and learning the 48 Composers mentioned in the title song ‘Tchaikowsky and Other Russians’, while performing pieces of their work! We are taken through a colourful history, in snippets, of each Composer’s life, with lively humour and emotion. He even mentions the historically documented disgrace of Stalin’s artistic suppression of Composers which caused many to leave their homeland so they could pursue their passion - making history as they developed classical music. Mark tap dances while acting playing the piano and singing! I have seen hundreds of pianists but I have never seen any of this calibre, nor have I ever seen anyone ‘Ride a Piano’ like Mark. Mark the piano and the stage merge into one being it’s truly transfixing. Atmospheric; passionate; emotional; enthusiastic; energetic, artistic and very memorable are just a few of the thoughts and emotions I left with after my second viewing. A very well researched, rehearsed, and pronounced show. ‘The Ugly Duckling’ sung, interpreted and acted with great skill and a genuine passion and emotion… it brings a tear to the eye… His delivery of ‘I can’t get started’ is astounding, to hear a vocalist of this calibre is a rare thing on The Fringe, jaw dropping…. ‘Homeword/Manhattan Blue’ is sung full of depth, compassion, emotion delivered by one of the best trained vocalists I have ever heard; he puts me in mind of the lovely Holly Penfield, they are similarly talented vocally, and are as delightfully manic as each other… this acts as a magnet to me as they are both extremely interesting and very very different, does Hollywood come to mind? This show is a must see for all, especially music lovers, pianists, music teachers and students, and all entertainers who will all learn a great deal from Mark Nadler. As one of the many people who are not classically literate I still found this show very interesting and educational at the same time as entertaining and funny, a show for all. A great Fringe night out begins with Mark Nadler in Tchaikowsky and Other Russians!

Jean Velvet

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