#BlueManGroup

So if you haven't heard of the #BlueManGroup yet, I suggest you check them out ASAP. So when I heard early last year that they would be visiting Joburg in 2017 I was super excited. It is a show that I have been wanting to see for ages now. Finally... They are here!

What started out as 3 college friends developed a bald & blue character called 'Blue Man', and then the Blue Man Group show, which is now an award winning show that has been performed in over 20 countries & has been seen by over 35 million people worldwide.

It is most certainly a very dynamic combination of art, music, comedy & the latest technology celebrating the human connection is something for everyone. And that I can reiterate. I saw the show on the opening night at the Teatro at Montecasino. An incredibly interactive show with the 'Blue Man' connecting & engaging with the audience throughout the show. 

It has been described as "The Only Show as Colourful as Life." It certainly lives up to that expectation. It is difficult to describe exactly it is what you are watching. I just know that it was super entertaining & a great show overall. Keeping the crowd fixated on their movements, expressions & actions is what really sells the show for me. 

They incorporate local music in their show too. Which was an added bonus for majority of the crowd when the late Mandoza's "Nkalakhata" sounded out from the stage & drums & everyone immediately recognised the tune. 

The Blue Man Group is on stage at the Teatro at Montecasino until 5 March & you can get your tickets at Computicket. I suggest you do that quickly. I rate they are going to sell out soon if the word spreads too quickly about how much everyone enjoys the show.

Check out these snaps that I took during the show.

The show ends in one collaborative play pen of throwing balls & streamers around like children.

 This is something that you don't want to miss out on... 

#BlueManGroup

#Mannequin

'Kaalkop' is back...

Nataniël has been in the industry for over 2 decades and is truly a South African icon on stage and screen. I have always been a fan of the 'Kaalkop' and thoroughly his performances. Now Nataniël has returned to the stage in the Theatre of Marcellus at Emperors Palace and will be on stage until 25 September 2016 in #Mannequin.

This is a production which tells the story, in English & Afrikaans, of an author who plays with the idea of writing a book about the life of tailor and his reclusive lifestyle. Now #Mannequin is the story that is told by this tailor. If you are a Nataniël fan, you know that his productions are always full of surprises which are full of fear, cruelty, humour, truth and a bit of fantasy. #Mannequin is exactly that! And what is a Nataniël show without a few of his creative stories of people of his past.

Nataniël surprises theatre-goers with a few of his own versions of some of the world's best known songs from the late sixties and eighties. His rendition of Prince's - Purple Rain is just incredible.

Every little detail on that stage is crafted to perfection. The lights are in the perfect positions. They don't shine a mere centimetre off from exactly where they need to be. The movement of props on stage happen without you knowing it and within the few seconds where the stage lights go off & on again, the stage is transformed and Nataniël is in a new extravagant costume, designed by the multi award-winning designer Floris Louw. The decor and props on stage are extravagant in true Nataniël fashion and just add that extra bit of something on stage.

Nataniël shares the stage with some of his long-time fellow musicians: Charl du Plessis, Juan Oosthuizen, Werner Spies & Hugo Radyn and singers: Nicolaas Swart & Dihan Slabbert. (The scene where they perform Purple Rain is beautiful!)

A word of warning. Do not even take your phone out during the production. Nataniël will single you out and make you feel like an idiot in front of the entire theatre. (It's the funniest thing ever and honestly, it is amazing when no one in that entire theatre has a cellphone light shining up into their face and they can enjoy the show.)

Tickets available for the 90 minute show at Computicket or on www.emperorspalace.com

Oh, there is an age restriction of No Under 15's. (Yes, it is Nataniël and he does use words that will make you blush.)

Share your Nataniël #Mannequin experience on social media using the #Mannequin