PEACE TRAIN: The Cat Stevens Story
Image: Darren Coggan
Tribute shows tend to be corny and rarely live up to the standards set by the great musical talents they replicate, but the popularity of Darren Coggan’s PEACE TRAIN: The Cat Stevens Story, is testament to the fact that he is doing something right.
Coggan tells the story of being taken aside after gigs by fans who tell him how uncannily he looks and sounds like the mysterious and brilliant Cat Stevens. It was only natural that he create a show that allows audiences to relive the great hits they grew up with – including Father and Son, The Old School Yard, and of course, Peace Train.
Coggan doesn’t pretend to be Stevens, but through his music and intriguing life story Coggan takes the audience on a journey of discovery. It works because it isn’t just the music fans will come for but “a very inspiring story of a man’s journey of personal discovery”.
“He [Stevens] came out of that with two massive albums written out of that dark period of his life when he was questioning his existence and the meaning of his life,” says Coggan.
“People leave feeling very uplifted,” he continues, “The response is one of great emotion. His themes of tolerance and compassion and peace are still very relevant today, if not even more so.” (MH)
Aug 20-25, Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, $69-119, (02) 9250 7777, sydneyoperahouse.com
