Stars fall from the sky to offer Christmas gift |16 December 2013

The organisers of the Seychelles’ first ever grand Christmas show had promised that stars would fall on stage from the sky. Although only Sandra and Father Christmas did, the large crowd which had gathered in front of the National Library on Friday evening was not disappointed as local entertainers offered a unique Christmas gift in the form of a thrilling musical show.

‘Christmas with the Stars’ had brought together a galaxy of Seychellois artists, male and female, seasoned as well as young. It was a way of reaching out to their fans in a festive atmosphere and to say thank you for their support throughout the year.

The two and a half hour show really offered a perfect blend of local and international Christmas songs which created a mixed atmosphere of Creole party, spiritual and social reflection as well as tradition nostalgia.

The artistic director, Patrick Victor, had preferred not to choose a crescendo style recital which would gradually warm up the scene. Rather, from the first musical note Michelle Marengo, accompanied by her son Dane and also the night’s Master of Ceremony brought in Joseph Sinon in the form of Father Christmas to start the party with gifts for the children. They were followed by Jany, John Wirtz, Scale, Ion Kid and Sandra.

With the repeated change of mood from soft French and English folksongs to Creole hardcore music transiting through religious hymns, maybe Patrick Victor had not foreseen an artistic climax but counted on the general satisfaction of the audience.

But as all artistic performances reserve a surprise, the evening’s highlight was involuntarily offered by Telcy, as she mesmerised the crowd and showed that she was simply the public’s, especially children’s, favourite.

One other great attraction was Paulo Payet or the little drummer boy, who accompanied by his brother Julio and Gervis and Jackim Renaud amazed the crowd with an inspiring performance not yet fit for his young age. The artistic director rightly told the night’s drummer, François Larue, that he had found his successor.

When Jean-Marc Volcy appeared with his long sleeved shirt, traditional Creole hat and guitar and was greeted by Patrick Victor at the back of the stage, more than one expected the two virtuosos of traditional Seychellois music to logically join the Creole Party. However, they had other musical ideas in mind as they offered a moment of deep reflection to artists and fans alike.

‘Aret fer fizi zouzou pour nou zanfan, aret fer zouzou lanmor pour nou zanfan’ Patrick sang as he asked the world to stop producing fire arms which end up also killing children. As of Jean-Marc, he reminded children that they should adopt a healthy life style without drugs and alcohol.

Patrick Joseph had also opted to be more classical as he interpreted ‘So this is Christmas’. A beautiful selection of choirs -- the National Choir, Seychelles National Youth Council Choir, National Schools’ Choir, George Payet and the Children’s Choir, Angels’ Choir and David André and Choral and Music Society of Seychelles -- linked to offer the real traditional Christmas ambiance.

 They were joined by the cousins’ duo of Wendy and Monette as well as the ballet and contemporary dancers from the School of Dance of the National Conservatoire of Performing Arts who gracefully performed to the sound of the Christmas tunes.

To make ‘Christmas With the Stars’ really authentic the artists were accompanied by a live band composed of François Larue, Kieren Jeanevole, Alain Bacco, Wellington Nourrice and Peter Jules.

And do not forget, the Minister for Tourism and Culture Alain St Ange was present backstage throughout the show. Like a professional artistic producer, he accompanied and supported his artists and ensured that the snow making machines which offered the white slush storm décor were perfectly working!

The accompanying photos show some of the artists and choirs performing during the ‘Christmas with the Stars’ show.