Arts
A love for music and fun; that’s Clifford Richards
A few years ago Clifford Richards was walking past a bandstand when a saxophone caught both his eye and immediate curiosity. “If you have a liking, you can do anything,” he explains, and with a few practices, he added saxophonist to his diverse resume as an entertainer.
Next week, audiences will get to see ‘Cliff’ as he is affectionately known showcase this skill on the sax when he presents “Clifford Richards in Concert”. The evening will be a show of song, dance and overall entertainment.
Clifford Richards: A versatile act. Pix by Indika Handuwala
The show’s emphasis on ‘entertainment’ is no surprise considering the persona of its main act. You may have listened to the clear baritone voice reading news or voicing advertisements. Or many a music lover would have sung along with Cliff, or laughed at his unpretentious, homespun sense of humour at the sing-alongs and shows where he has been the master of ceremonies. But before Cliff became an established figure as presenter and compere at hundreds (he has literally compered over 900 shows) of shows and events, the soft spoken entertainer found his niche through singing.
Singing came naturally to Clifford from a very young age. While studying at Trinity College, Kandy and later the University of Peradeniya he would clinch prizes and win competitions, although he was advised very early on that he was ‘not good enough’. But little deters the earnest Cliff, whose passion for music saw him perform anyway. But speaking on stage, he admits was an accident of sorts, when he was asked to fill in for the compere who was missing while he was singing with ‘Friends in Harmony’. Pushed by fellow musician and singer Indrani Wijesundara, and Lancelot Perera, he soon added announcing and presenting to his resume, thereafter working for radio and later television for channels such as ITN and then Rupavahini as a newsreader and presenter.
Over the past 30 years Cliff has enjoyed success both at home and abroad with his music and style of entertaining. Audiences may remember last year’s show which found the performer celebrating his love for the oldies and classic Sri Lankan pop. His two young children Jacinta and Alvan shared a spot with him last year with behind the scenes support from his wife Marcelle. It is always a part of the show that Cliff looks forward to, this year as well.
Audiences can look out for favourites from yesteryear from the likes of Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, Engelbert and Jim Reeves. Cliff will also perform popular Sinhala tunes such as Dushan Jayathilaka’s “Mage Nona” and other numbers by evergreen singers such as Nanda Malini and Victor Rathnayake. He will also pay musical tribute to the performers who inspire him- Desmond de Silva and Sunil Perera. Also part of the evening’s showcase will be several guest performers whose names Cliff keeps under wraps “to add an element of surprise,” he adds, eyes twinkling. He hopes his audience will feel the same emotion he felt for music when he first started- sheer passion if minus most of the technical knowhow save a few lessons with Kalasuri Lylie Godridge and Mary Anne David. What he did have in abundance – a love for music and fun. It’s how he would like to be known as a performer. “A fun filled bundle of talent”.
“Clifford Richards in Concert” will be held on August 20 at 7 p.m. at the Bishop’s College Auditorium.Tickets priced at Rs. 3000, Rs. 2000, Rs.1000 and Rs. 750 (balcony) are available at www.ticketslk.com, Sarasavi Bookshops, Nugegoda and Maharagama, Sadeepa Bookshop, Borella,Yamaha Music Centre, Colombo 7, Abans main showroom, Galle Road, Colombo 3, Wanapetha Bookshop, Dehiwala and TicketsLK Office Colombo 5. For more information contact 0718107252.