Musical ‘Forget Barbara’ is a tribute to Will Tura

Gert Verhulst, James Cooke, Jonas Van Geel, Jelle Cleymans and Free Souffriau, among others, are on stage. Will Tura is over the moon: “I am overjoyed. Really, it’s great, after all these years that I’ve been in the business and living for the music, that I’ve received so much support from all those people who sympathized. I am thankful to heaven and all of you.”

In ‘Forget Barbara’ we go back to the hot summer of 1976, the year Lucien Van Impe won the Tour de France. Gert Verhulst is the café owner Willy. James Cooke, Jonas Van Geel and Jelle Cleymans are sons Achiel, Arthur and Albert respectively. Willy and his eldest son Achiel are standing behind the counter of café ‘De Sportvriend’, a popular café in the 1970s. The second son Arthur is mainly concerned with music and tries to break through with his rock band. The youngest son Albert is the apple of Willy’s eye, who hopes to win the fair race this year. One day a mysterious lady, Barbara, appears in the village, carrying a big secret. The lives of the 4 men are completely turned upside down… and the story ends with a very surprising denouement. (continue reading below the photo)

Gert Verhulst: “I am proud of the beautiful gift we gave Will today. He is clearly happy with it, and that is the best compliment.”

James Cook: “I especially hoped that Will would enjoy it very much and that it would be the crowning glory of his work as an author-composer. Imagine he was sleeping in his chair, I’d be crazy. Then I’ll run away.”