On a warm summer’s evening, in the garden bar at Rigby’s, Monty Cotton’s new show opened at FRINGE WORLD.
While his well-known A Boy Named Cash is a salute to the songs made famous by the Man in Black, Johnny Cash, Cash Converted is a playful take on Johnny’s love of recording the songs made famous by others and these were many over the years – from Bob Dylan to Tom Petty, from U2 and Bruce Springsteen to the Rolling Stones to name but a few.
The twist in this new show, however, is that audience participation is key – the audience choose the songs and Monty along with sidekick Dario Jiritano interpret them into the Cash canon in Johnny’s inimitable style.
With Monty’s voice and guitar and Dario’s musical backing on upright bass and the interesting choices thrown up by the audience, the short, 30-minute show was highly entertaining.
Despite the very small opening night crowd, we got into it and soon Daryl Braithwaite Cash was on stage with Aussie classic Horses; Kenny Rogers Cash sang too, even Kylie Minogue Cash paid a visit.
Of course, Tay Tay made an appearance along with Van Morrison Cash, while for me the highlight was the Proclaimers Cash with a great version of the unofficial anthem of Scotland, 500 Miles.
A Boy Named Cash plays to packed houses and this newest show deserves bigger audiences.
If you like good music you should get along, if you like Cash with twist, get along, and get along if you enjoy the stage presence of Monty Cotton.
With a drink in hand from Rigby’s bar, Cash Converted is worth staying up for.