THE Barnyard Theatres have established themselves as some of the most popular venues for music and theatre across the country. And it’s also refreshing to know that the theatre always changes things up a bit.
For instance, by hosting Afrikaans shows (this turned out to be a hit due to the huge market for Afrikaans music). In the past, Afrikaans acts such as Chris Chameleon and Steve Hofmeyr have huge successes at the theatre and it appears that audiences can’t get enough. And now, local legends Jack Parow and Francois van Coke return with their popular acoustic show. You can catch them tomorrow at The Barnyard Theatres in Vereeniging and on Friday in Joburg, Cresta.
Tonight caught up with theatre manager and corporate event/fund raiser co-ordinator, Iris Pather, to learn more about The Barnyard’s decision to bring Afrikaans shows to their stage.
On Parow and Van Coke’s collaboration, she says: “I’m sure a lot of people know that Barnyard predominantly host musical shows. And Jack Parow and Francois van Coke are two people who won’t generally come to Barnyard shows so it’s a different age group and following and obviously a different taste.”
I ask if there’s a strong Afrikaans following for these shows: “You’d be surprised that our Barnyard shows are mostly English and I think that out of the people who attend our shows, about 60 percent are Afrikaaners.”
So is it sometimes risky hosting Afrikaans shows?
“I don’t think so. You have do different things to please different people. And it just depends on how much of a following an artist has. We can do lots of Afrikaans shows with Elvis Blue and so on, but it just depends on whether they (the artists) have a good database and if they have a strong following to support them wherever they go. It’s up to them.”
A press release states that the 80-minute show will feature classic Fokofpolisiekar, Van Coke Kartel, Francois van Coke solo and Parow tracks. The two will do what they do best in an intimate setting.
Pather adds: “At Barnyard, if you’re a follower, you know what to expect. So audiences would obviously know what Jack and his shows are about. So you follow these artists and, if you like them, you book the show. People always know what to expect. And people prefer live entertainment.
“Another thing of having the Barnyard shows, it’s a different way of looking at shows. You’re not standing and it’s not cinema-style seating. It’s a more intimate style.”
• Catch Jack Parow and Francois van Coke’s acoustic show tomorrow at The Barnyard Theatres in Vereeniging and on Friday in Joburg, Cresta. For information, visit jackparow.co.za and fancoisvancoke.co.za.