Constanatia Cottage Resataurant Newsdesk

Constantia Brothers Big Show Review by Alex Polydorou Photo Paul Damen

Mundesley Festival had an energetic kick start with North Norfolk's very own Constantia Brothers at The Coronation Hall on Sunday. A full house enjoyed a Greek song and dance extravaganza laced with colour and Mediterranean romance.

The powerful beat of 'Who Pays The Ferryman' was drowned by a roar of approval by an enthusiastic audience when the brothers burst onto the stage for the first time in six years. There was no warm up act needed in an already simmering atmosphere just before the start.

A well choreographed and polished performance included a spectacular dance routine by Maria and Nicko early on, backed by a song that is to be featured on BBC Television in September.

Bouzouki impresario, Yas, dazzled with an amazing display of solo pieces and duets with lead guitarist Sotiris Yiasimi - while Gary and Andreas Yiasimi kept feet tapping in the rhythm section. It was obvious that a few years in the recording studio writing for some major labels hadn't affected the brothers charismatic stage presence.

The main thing that impressed me about the show was the continuous flow that hardly gave the swaying crowd a chance to catch their breath. A string of musical gems included 'The White Rose Of Athens and 'Never On A Sunday' In true Constantia fashion the element of surprise was never too far away with a rendition of Benny Hill's Andalusian Gypsies that had us all in stitches.

The first half climaxed with the ever popular 'Zorba The Greek' that had most of the audience dancing in the isles. It was hard to imagine what could be done to raise the second part of the show that had already reached boiling point.

The best was saved till last in a demonstration of captivating instrumentation and musicianship that confirmed why the brothers have such a large following in the UK and in Cyprus where they were recently featured in an International TV documentary.

The show reached fever pitch in a finale that highlighted the Brothers virtuosity on their instruments with some fascinating finger work. A deserved standing ovation was inevitable for Norfolk's Greek phenomenon.

Alex Polydorou

Constantia Brothers Snapped up by Mundesley Festival

Mundesley Festival - Sunday 6th - Saturday 12th August 2006
Coronation Hall, Mundesley
6 - 12 August, 2pm matinees and 7.45pm evenings
Seven nightly music concerts and two afternoon matinees
Contact Mr Bonham for bookings

direct on: 01263 720965
Please check availability first

Cheques made payable to:

Mundesley Festival and sent to

Mr Bonham

Cowper Lodge

High Street

Mudesley

NR11 8LH
On-street parking
Disabled WC with limited space
One step at entrance
• Constantia Brothers and Maria
6 August 7:45pm Tickets £8
• The Jonathan Wyatt Big Band with Ollie Day
7 August 7:45pm Tickets £10
• Raz & Auntie Pearl
8 August 2pm Tickets Children £1/Adults£1.50
• Abbababes with Guitar George
8 August 7:45pm Tickets £8
• Terry Lightfoot & His Jazzmen
9 August 7:45pm Tickets £10
• Widescreen presentation "Up, Up and Away" & "The Queens Tour"
10 August 2pm Tickets £2
• The Cromer Smugglers
10 August 7:45pm Tickets £8
• Country & Western - Above the Law
11 August 7:45pm Tickets £8
• Keith Skipper introduces Norfolk Wherry Brass
12 August 7:45pm Tickets £8

Big Television Documentary For Singing Brothers

North Norfolk's Constantia Brothers have landed an International television documentary with prime time Cyprus television that is to be screened across Europe and world-wide via satellite.

Top TV producer, Menelaos and camera man Doros, flew over from Cyprus to London and headed to Cromer for two days filming. Crack bouzouki player, Yas had sparked off interest after two tracks that he penned were featured at the Athens Olympics by the BBC.

A music video filmed in Cromer called ‘For The Love Of Cyprus' and produced by Norwich based director, Liz Gould, is also to be aired by RIK Cyprus TV and is the centre of a fly on the wall type documentary.

This is by far the most comprehensive look behind the scenes about Norfolk's Greek phenomenon that was founded at East Runtons Constantia Cottage Restaurant when they were discovered by the late EMI man Bob Barratt around 20 years ago.

It's amazing that the Norfolk coast should be host to a main feature that is to be aired by some of the biggest names in European television ‘I insisted that if any documentary of this type would go ahead' explained Constantia Bros front man, Andreas ‘that our local surroundings would be where it happened. After all it's thanks to the people of Norfolk that we gained recognition in the first place and it felt right to somehow give something back to a place that's given us so much'

The filming went on for hours and the questions were punchy and close to home — each member of the Constantia family were interviewed separately and the boys were made to sing live without musical accompaniment. Highlights will include the Cromer Pavilion, something that the Greek crew found extraordinary - Theatres at the end of the pier are not something you readily see in Greece or Cyprus.

In comparison with British TV the documentary can draw similarities to LWT's ‘The South Bank Show' or BBC's ‘Panorama' - The documentary has already made headlines in major Greek Magazines and Newspapers and has been trailed daily ‘We have been swamped by telephone calls from family and friends from Cyprus and London that have seen the clips' said bouzouki maestro, Yas ‘it's kind of weird that we have a cult following over seas even though we havent done any gigs there, only by TV and Radio play'

This has thrown The Constantia Brothers back into the International music Arena and a string of UK appearances are being organised. A second Music DVD is being planned concerning the Brothers Eurovision entry that was piped at the post ‘It's a twist that we needed' says Sotiris of Norwich's Ashwood recording Studios ‘it's fantastic that we should be getting the publicity over a song that has been hailed by journalists as a strong contender and could have been a possible outright winner. It deserves all the airplay it gets'

The Song called ‘Mandolins' has already been published by London record Giants, Carlin Music and Greek songbird ‘Evdokia' is heading for the Norfolk coast next Month to front the production.

Constantia Brothers Press Release

International Music Video Screening for Brothers

Independent Norwich Film Producer Moves In

Cromer / Norfolk location chosen

An international music video featuring the Constantia Brothers is to be shot at the world famous Pavilion Theatre in Cromer and East Runton beach.

The 4 minute long film score called ‘For The Love Of Cyprus’ was penned by Bouzouki impresario, Yas Yiasimi and was picked up by Carlin Music of London together with 5 other tracks that were aired at last years Olympics in Athens.

‘For The Love Of Cyprus’ is a powerful musical arrangement dedicated to the late Bob Barratt, the Constantia’s founder and producer. The whole project was kicked into action after a call from International Greek Television wanting to screen the song.

In true Constantia Brothers fashion everything to do with the release is to have a Norfolk flavour to it, from Location right through to the film director.

Norwich born independent film director, Liz Gould has been thrown into the international film arena to direct and produce the music video, she says ‘the film piece is an exciting mixture of animation and real live action reflecting the story of the Constantia Brothers and their amazing background’ Liz studied at the Royal College of art in London before returning to Norfolk and is about to start teaching on a film school course which is being run in collaboration with Cinema City (The Arts Cinema in Norwich)

This is by far the biggest production the Constantia Brothers have embarked on and its extraordinary to think it should come when the boys have taken a step back from performing to produce and direct others. ‘Such is the music game’ Explains Andreas chief PR for the band ‘things come when least expected in the industry and it just underlines how unpredictable the music business can be’

BBC Television 'Best Of Friends' Visit Norfolk UK

Norfolk's Constantia Cottage Restaurant was the setting for prime time BBC Television series ‘The Best Of Friends' last Friday - The 15 strong crew visited the North Norfolk Village of East Runton for one of their surprise stunts.

4 hours of intense filming featured a self penned tune by The Constantia Brothers and a Syrtaki dance by their sister Maria. The Brothers proved to be a smash hit in more ways than one with a spectacular finale of traditional Greek plate smashing. Attractive TV Presenter, Rani, joined in the fun with high kicks, music and moussaka.

Cromer's singing brothers will be screened on BBC1, BBC2 and Sky channels in September. The programme will also cover Cromer crab dressing courtesy of Richard and Julie Davies in Cromer, caught by the shop's own boat.

The Constantia Brothers were thrown back into the International Television spotlight last month with a major TV documentary that was screened world-wide via the PIK Channel in Cyprus.

A spin off was inevitable when a ‘Best Of Friends' researcher visited the brothers a week later to plan filming. ‘It's so strange that we are getting a sudden influx of publicity' said Andreas ‘Entertainment is such an unpredictable area. We thought we had decided to take a back seat to concentrate on song writing a few years ago but we are still very much in demand as a performing outfit'
The Brothers have had a spate of successful appearances and song releases over the years including backing tracks for the Athens Olympics that were aired by the BBC during the games.

A string of projects are now planned throughout 2007 as East Runtons irrepressible entertainment's phenomenon continues to move forward.

Photojournalism © Fuoco 2007 Andreas Yiasimi Norwich All rights reserved

Constantia Cottage Restaurant Site Map