BIO
Philip de Villiers is a seasoned showman who delights young and old with his versatility, musicality and quirky humour.
His new cabaret ‘SMILE’ debuted with sold-out performances at the North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA) and is now part of the Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane Fringe festivals.
Philip grew up on a mountain farm in South Africa, where he taught himself a variety of instruments.
At sixteen he won a major songwriting award and with the prize money spent three weeks in New York where he saw the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall and Cats. He returned home to complete his school year and after auditioning for the band, got the lead role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He spent a gap year in London working as a security guard while studying music theory at night, then gained entry to study jazz piano at the Tshwane University in Pretoria. He completed his studies with a B.A. Honours in Live Performance while working as a lecturer at AFDA, South Africa’s most prestigious film and drama school.
During the pandemic, Channel 9’s A Current Affair made a story about Philip’s entrepreneurial spirit, as he went all-out to bring his concerts to a world wide audience via the web.
Philip entertains with a hearty mix of show tunes, golden oldies, jazz and bush ballads in a streamlined show spiced with quips about his life.
REVIEWS
“A tremendous concert! We were all singing, dancing, arm waving, toe tapping & clapping!” - Kathleen Oakley, Lifestyle Coordinator
“A wonderful night out.” - Kay, St James Village, Townsville“
“Nothing but sheer enjoyment.” - Carmen Lees, social coordinator, Brooklea Lifestyle Village
“Thanks for making Di's party a resounding success with your voice, musical talent and energy.” - Moyra Mendham
“Absolutely brilliant, you lifted our spirits,” Margaret-anne Hayes, aged care volunteer, Turramurra