BACK from a hugely successful tour of regional New South Wales and Victoria, DYLANesque The Bob Dylan Story is set to play in South Australia for the first time at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre.
The show, devised and performed by musician Jeff Jenkins and his electrifying four-piece band is a roller-coaster journey depicting the humble beginning of Dylan’s career, his pivotal relationships and break-ups and his trail-blazing songs.
Mr Jenkins said the idea for the show was ignited after often being told his voice resembled Dylan’s.
“I would get people saying it to me frequently and I thought ‘why not get this thing going?'” Mr Jenkins said.
After delving into the history and life of Dylan, which included books, films and of course music, Mr Jenkins said he felt like he had discovered a whole new world.
“It was like Alice looking through the looking glass, I was never an extreme fan, but after the volume of research I conducted, I discovered his profound wit and influence he had on the world,” he said.
Mr Jenkins said compacting the life of the musician into just two hours was a difficult task, but the performance showcased the significant aspects of Dylan’s life.
“There is no room for every detail of his life, so the show presents Dylan’s high roads and not so much his back streets,” he said.
No stranger to musicals, Mr Jenkins has worked in renowned musical theatre shows such as CATS, Westside Story and History of Australia.
However, he said DYLANesque differed from those musicals as he felt a sense of ownership.
“Those big shows were fantastic to be part of, however it was at someone else’s bidding – this performance was all up to me and the band,” he said.
“Bob rests on my shoulders.”
Mr Jenkins said the show was not just for Dylan fans, as there was something in the performance for all audience members.
“Many people get such a thrill from the show and many songs of his were given to singers such as Johnny Cash, Guns N’ Roses and even Olivia Newton-John,” he said.
“Many people are surprised with the amount of music they will know.”
Throughout his tour, Mr Jenkins said he had enjoyed seeing and travelling the country as it was all part of the journey.
“I am excited to bring the show to Mount Gambier and it will offer a nostalgic trip for fans and a history lesson for those new to the work of Bob Dylan,” he said.
The show will be at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre on March 3.
Tickets are now on sale at the box office and online.
