As it says in the blurb, ‘Blue Man Group is not just a show – it’s a state of mind’. Having first performed 25 years ago, since which time they have performed in over 10 countries and been seen by over 2 million people, the performance troupe – whose activities now include albums, DVDs and documentaries now come to Australia – although their arrival perhaps made the wrong kind of splash in some quarters.
Their Sydney performance was a joyous, silly romp; a party atmosphere featuring infectious rhythms, visual gags, colour and light and also biting social comment. Performance art, drumming, mime, computer wizardry and dazzling theatrics all combine into one stunning show.
Three mysterious bald ‘Blue Men’ front and lead the proceedings. They play wicked Taikoz-like drumming and incorporate explosive coloured paint, leading to the creation of neo-Pollock action paintings. Their performance features sensational lighting (for example in the ‘giant xylophone plumbing ‘ section, where the lighting is positively psychedelic) which at times borders on the blinding – strobe lighting is used – as well as the extremely effective use of fluoro/UV lighting, especially for the band, wildly performing their magic on stage.
The production is also extremely contemporary with the use of computer imagery and apps (the trio interact with ‘GiPads’ (Gigantic iPads) leading to a funny and perceptive look at current modes of communication, though the use of deep, throbbing bass verges on the painful, and is definitely over-emphasized.
Be aware that if you are in the first two rows of the stalls, plastic ponchos are provided, and will be needed. Audience interaction/participation features from the start; as well as screens at either side of the stage flashing up birthday messages and other greetings for particular audience members, if you’re in the stalls you will be carefully scrutinized and filmed by the Blue Men, and possibly dragged up on stage.
Much fun is had with precise comic timing, and the audience constantly rocks with laughter – in the ‘giant xylophone’ section we hear everything from Beethoven to the John Farnham song ‘You’re the Voice’. The straight faced looks of the Blue Men – silent throughout – are priceless.
There is a lot of biting social commentary – for example about how we are all interacting through the wonders of modern plumbing. Mention should also be made of the running sight gag of the quivering jelly and the eating of cornflakes. Illusion and reality are blurred with the 2D and 3D world texting discussions – cool, but weird, man.
There is also quite a bit of art, colour and visual optics theory behind all this gaudy pageantry, and the finale has the audience ecstatically dancing in the aisles and being bombarded with giant coloured balls, streamers and dry ice fog – akin to a cross between the ending of Slava’s Snow Show and a psychedelic rave party, perhaps? The audience loved it!
Blue Man Group is almost impossible to describe or categorize; you have to see it for yourself. In a word – amazing.
Rating: 4 ½ stars out of 5
Blue Man Group
Created, written and directed by Matt Goldman, Phil Stanton and Chris Wink
Artistic and musical collaborators: Chris Dyas, Larry Heinemann, Ian Pai, Todd Perlmutter and Jeff Turlik
Production and lighting design: Joel Moritz
Additional lighting design: Kevin Adams
Video design: Caryl Glabb and Blue Man Group
Recorded sound design and music supervisor: Todd Perlmutter
Blue Man Character costume design: Patricia Murphy
Associate Director: Matt Ramsey
Music Director: Byron Estep
Technical production: Nils Lunow Production Management
Cast: Jonathan Clapham, Adam Erdossy, Callum Grant and Alain Rochfort
Musicians – Charles Henry, Adrian Passareli, Jeff Tortora, Vince Verdame, Greg Vystroko and Nils Westermann
Lyric Theatre, Sydney
10 August – 8 September
Crown Theatre, Perth
12 – 27 October
Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne
8 – 24 November
(Pictured: Photo: Paul Kolnik)
