By Tania Phillips
Only one man has introduced International singing star Mirusia on stage more than Redland’s Craig Martin but the Liverpool-born Martin doesn’t mind coming second when the other guy is Andre Rieu.
Martin is set to add to his introduction tally when he steps onto the stage on 27 November for the Christmas Spectacular starring Mirusia and friends presented by seniors radio service Silver Memories.
The event is at the Brisbane City Hall and kicks off a busy Christmas season for all the artists and an exciting time for Martin himself.
While his main focus is the City Hall show – which will also star JD Smith from the Ten Tenors, Vocal Manoeuvres and the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra conducted by Chen Yang – Craig has a busy 2023 ahead of him.
The Raby Bay based artist is headline is own show at the Redlands Entertainment Centre on 4 February – The Great British Songbook and also releasing an album of the same name at the end of January. But first he has all the excitement of the Christmas show.
“Mirusia did this last year, I wasn’t invited but I couldn’t have done it anyway because I was doing the Redlands carols, so I begged to get on the bill this time, please, please get me on the bill,” he laughed.
“It was a huge event last year and very success, it was talked about for months afterwards. It’s City Hall. Is there a nicer venue in Queensland, in the country than City Hall? It’s a stunning venue. Its breathtaking, I’ve been, I’ve performed shows there and you forget when you’re performing what’s behind you. It’s an incredible venue and not forgetting the ceiling, looking at that takes your breath away. Every soundcheck if I look up, I’m like woo and I lose track of where I am. So, to be a part of Mirusia’s show – Mirusia and friends – I am her friend, it’s just great to be asked.”
Craig said he had performed with the star soprano many, many times.
“We have a laugh,” he says in a Liverpool accent still detectable after 15 years in Qld (though he jokes that his parents think he sounds like he comes from the Midlands after all this time).
“The songs aren’t a laugh, we take it seriously, but we have a laugh prior to the songs. We have a genuine chemistry, a friendship, we have a good laugh and people love that. You’re not just singing the songs, you’re having a great time as well.”
So, what can we expect from Craig?
“I’m doing duet (with Mirusia) it’s the same song we do every year but it’s fantastic (I’m not going to say what it is) but I love doing this duet with he, again it’s fun and I’m doing a song that I love, an old 1930s crooner classic White Christmas by Bing Crosby,” he enthused.
“I love that song always have, it’s one of my favourites.”
