The subtitle of this show is a misnomer. Yes, the tubular bells are there, in pride of place in the centre of the stage, all shimmery and shiny, but they are surrounded by at least 20 other odd instruments, so the subtitle is a more accurate indication of what’s in store: ‘One album. Two men. Too many instruments.’
This final tour around Australia marks the 50th anniversary of the multi award-winning album Tubular Bells, created by British musician Mike Oldfield (who was only 17 at the time) and produced on Richard Branson’s then newly created Virgin Records. It went on to sell over 40 million copies and the opening theme was used in the soundtrack of the film The Exorcist.
In this show, Daniel Holdsworth and Tom Bamford (who took over from Aidan Roberts in 2017) recreate the album live, only taking a short break before playing “Side B” in this hour-long production. If you closed your eyes you’d swear there were at least five people on stage, but half the fun is watching these nimble-fingered, multi-skilled musos juggle so many instruments, which include various types of strings, keys and woodwind: keyboards; electric, Spanish and acoustic guitars; mandolin; percussion; drums; glockenspiel; loop pedals; synthesisers; mixers and, of course, the golden tubular bells. Holdsworth and Bamford play standing up, they play sitting down, they rush around the assembled instruments trying not to trip over the many cords that wind like snakes on the stage floor.
After touring with over 500 shows across 20 different countries, there surely must be muscle memory involved, but the nature of Tubular Bells for Two means that no two performances would be exactly the same; all it would take is random improvisation for the album to sound slightly different. As to the music, it varies from folksy melodies to full-on rock ‘n’ roll riffs (with accompanying red pulsing lights).
Read: Theatre review, Death of a Salesman, Her Majesty’s Theatre
Tubular Bells for Two is pure exhilarating entertainment. Its short Melbourne run is unfortunately over but try and catch it as it makes its way around the country. It’ll be your last chance.
Tubular Bells for Two
Music: Mike Oldfield
Arrangement: Daniel Holdsworth and Aidan Roberts
Performers: Daniel Holdsworth and Tom Bamford
Tubular Bells for Two was performed at Arts Centre Melbourne from 8-9 September. It will be touring across Australia.
