Mundesley Festival - Vibrant Start (Constantia Bros Photo / Review)
Mundesley Festival had an energetic kick start with North Norfolk's very own Constantia Brothers at The Coronation Hall on Sunday. A full house enjoyed a Greek song and dance extravaganza laced with colour and Mediterranean romance.
The powerful beat of 'Who Pays The Ferryman' was drowned by a roar of approval by an enthusiastic audience when the brothers burst onto the stage for the first time in six years. There was no warm up act needed in an already simmering atmosphere just before the start.
A well choreographed and polished performance included a spectacular dance routine by Maria and Nicko early on, backed by a song that is to be featured on BBC Television in September.
Bouzouki impresario, Yas, dazzled with an amazing display of solo pieces and duets with lead guitarist Sotiris Yiasimi - while Gary and Andreas Yiasimi kept feet tapping in the rhythm section. It was obvious that a few years in the recording studio writing for some major labels hadn't affected the brothers charismatic stage presence.
The main thing that impressed me about the show was the continuous flow that hardly gave the swaying crowd a chance to catch their breath. A string of musical gems included 'The White Rose Of Athens and 'Never On A Sunday' In true Constantia fashion the element of surprise was never too far away with a rendition of Benny Hill's Andalusian Gypsies that had us all in stitches.
The first half climaxed with the ever popular 'Zorba The Greek' that had most of the audience dancing in the isles. It was hard to imagine what could be done to raise the second part of the show that had already reached boiling point.
The best was saved till last in a demonstration of captivating instrumentation and musicianship that confirmed why the brothers have such a large following in the UK and in Cyprus where they were recently featured in an International TV documentary.
The show reached fever pitch in a finale that highlighted the Brothers virtuosity on their instruments with some fascinating finger work. A deserved standing ovation was inevitable for Norfolk's Greek phenomenon.
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Review by Alex Polydorou for the Greek and International Press - may be used for UK articles with permission to amend accordingly.
Exclusive Constantia Brothers at Mundesley Festival Photograph by Paul Damen - FOR PRESS USE ONLY - please be as kind as to give a credit if photo is used.
Photograph from left to right - Garry Dungar, Andreas Yiasimi, Nicko Yiasimi, Maria Yiasimi, Yiasoumis Yiasimi, Sotiris Yiasimi.