Jan van de Stool @ Trades Hall
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Jan van de Stool @ Trades Hall

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Deceptive beguiling comedy that creeps up on you, I Get the Music in You is a cute and thoroughly entertaining show that gets funnier as it goes along.

As an audience member you’re part of a Beginners Music Therapy workshop led by Jan van de Stool. Jan is accompanied by Helen, who is in charge of the tea and coffee in the Scout Hall and who’s also Jan’s pianist. Hilaiously, Jan doesn’t treat Helen terribly well – it has to be said. During Jan’s workshop you will learn some nifty interpretative dance moves and be encouraged to find your very own personal Individual Harmonic Narrative – also known as a song, albeit one which doesn’t need to be written by you. You’re also encouraged in a rather cheeky way to later purchase  merchandise, including ceramic mugs hand-made by Jan’s cheese sculptor husband and cousin, Pieter.

The subtlety of this show is a treat. Many of the gags come from Dutch-born Jan’s misuse of the English language.  A priceless moment is her holding out a rubber band and demanding of the audience, “What have I got?” – although we won’t spoil the show by giving you the answer. Van De Stool is an essentially unpleasant and rather competitive character. Working as a music teacher and despite her best efforts to suppress them, her ‘students’ outshine her. Especially, Carol who’s inclined according to Jan to belt the audience with the big notes.  Jan’s a bit hard on audience members too, and bossily organizes any health professionals in attendance to attend to medical emergencies after the show.

If you were a fan of Barry Humphries’ character Sandy Stone then you’ll especially enjoy I Get The Music In You. A very pleasant change from stand-up.

BY LIZA DEZFOULI