The Blue Man Group trio plus band entertained a packed house at the Grand West Arena last night. The performance art group, which was originally formed in the early 1990s, has featured many different actors/musicians over the years. The show itself has also evolved, with last night’s performance making maximum use of contemporary props such as cell phones. The current tour marks the first time the Blue Man Group has performed in South Africa. Review below:
BLUE MAN GROUP. Grand West Arena.
REVIEW: Karen Rutter
Yes, they’re blue. Yes, they’re men. And yes, they’re a group. Although it’s probably better to refer to BMG as a brand, rather than an organic ensemble.
It is said, according to the Mighty Wikipedia, that the concept was created when three New York friends, Chris Wink, Matt Goldman and Phil Stanton celebrated the end of the 1980s with a performance art piece. They wore blue masks and burnt a Rambo doll and a piece of the Berlin wall (not sure how you burn a brick, but anyhoo …)
The event was captured on MTV and a cult was born. The trio graduated from street theatre to real theatres, eventually playing at mega-venues in Las Vegas and elsewhere. And, somewhere along the way, the original members were replaced by a revolving cast. (Not that one would really know, because – blue faces).
25 years of blue faces
2016 marked the 25th anniversary of BMG and this year marked the first tour to South Africa. The show opened in Johannesburg in February and has finally made it to the Grand Arena in Cape Town. A new week of shows has been added here, based on demand, which says something.
So – back to the brand. BMG is synonymous with live music performed on strange instruments, mime-style comedy, slick percussion and drumming sequences, smart use of technology as an artistic theme, intelligent lighting, and props that include marshmallows. All of which came into play at the Grand West Arena this week. Starting with an amusing interaction with the audience via an autoprompter/surtitle sequence (“Clap LOUDLY for BMG NOW!!!), the trio bounced on to the stage and got going with their schtick. Soon after, the accompanying band, artfully suspended above the main stage, joined in, and the vibe was on.
Amusing accessories, including giant iPhones and selfie sticks, pointed to a commentary on our contemporary digitised age – or perhaps not. Maybe they were just nice-looking pieces to have on set … Likewise the sequence with a female audience member who was cajoled on to the stage. Was it a reflection on loneliness, or competitiveness, or the gender roles men and women are assigned? Or was is just a simple skit …
Don’t overthink this stuff
Hard to tell with BMG, and perhaps over-thinking this stuff is not the point. The evening is about colour, light, sound and silliness, performed by accomplished musicians who are clearly having a helluva lot of fun. Is the humour sophisticated? Not at all. Is the music blow-me-away brilliant? It’s tight. Let’s leave it at that. Will my eight-year-old niece love it? Pretty sure.
Alert: People who loved BMG also loved: Mummenschanz.
What: Blue Man Group
Where and when: Grand Arena, Grand West: March 21 – March 26, 30 March – 2 April
Tickets: www.computicket.com
Visit: www.blueman.com
WS
