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Loving and hating the Blue Men

Johannesburg - City Press reviews the Blue Man Group, who is currently performing at the Teatro at Montecasino, in Johannesburg.

Tickets cost between R370 and R595 and are available at Computicket.

LOVED IT

Playful, clever, weird

Why did I find Blue Man Group so appealing? I guess it’s the fact that they’re blue. It gives these three figures an anonymity and alien-ness that frees them to get away with anything – for instance, blindfolding singer Danny K, covering him in paint, hanging him upside down and swinging his body on to a canvas to make art. The show’s inclusion of giant iPhones, selfie sticks and fibreoptic graphics hinted at a wider message about the ludicrousness of our digitally obsessed world that I thought was smart and current. Moreover, they lay this rather heavy message on you without ever losing the fun. So, while my husband moaned that there “wasn’t enough paint” and Rhodé Marshall WhatsApped me to ask why all the white people were laughing, I was being carried away on a thought train about social media, performance art and the colour blue. Get your ticket if this is your sort of thing. – Grethe Kemp

HATED IT

Bizarre and boring

What a bizarre experience. I decided to attend Blue Man Group’s performance without any preconceived notions. I deliberately didn’t watch performances by the trio or read any reviews. Basically, I suspected that I would hate it. The crowd was in stitches. A friend and I were left confused by the laughter of the crowd. There really wasn’t anything funny happening. At some point it got so uncomfortable that I had a split second of introspection on whether or not I’m just a grumpy old lady. But then I realised the jokes were just lazy and boring.

I will, however, say that the light and sound experience, as well as the use of modern technology during the show, were a highlight, but just not enough for me to enjoy the show. I did however enjoy watching Danny K get smashed into a canvas. – Rhodé Marshall

*The group will be at Montecasino till 12 March and then move to GrandWest Casino in Cape Town.

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