Sublime entertainment from master showman

Natani�

Natani�

Published Feb 3, 2015

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JEFFREY AND THE COLD FEET

PERFORMER: Nataniël

MUSICIANS: Charl du Plessis (piano), Hugo Radyn (drums), Werner Spies (bass)

VENUE: Centurion Theatre

UNTIL: February 21

RATING: ****

Nataniël is one of those performers who keeps defying the odds and circumnavigates convention.

Those who know will tell you never to try to do it all. You need outside perspective whether from a writing or performing angle. But not this showman. He conceives, conceptualises and creates, writes the whole damn thing and then performs. Then there’s also the lighting and design and, of course, finally the performance.

The writing includes a book of 150 stories that was launched at the end of last year and is still hitting the No 1 spot. And with his storytelling driving his shows, he creates about four to five different shows a year which require new stories which means he adds 25 each year. Listen to any of them and you will be blown away by the sheer quality of the writing, the way his mind meanders in a way that few do which is how he has created his particular Nataniël speak (both in Afrikaans and English) which gives him such a unique voice.

Everything hits a very sweet spot at the moment. Because he has lost weight (one of his constant topics), he is pushing the boundaries with his costumes, his voice is sounding better than ever and his stories keep blowing your mind. They’re funny, hysterically so, but also wise in a way that makes you think, release some of that buried anger about Eskom, leadership incompetency, the blue brigade and many of society’s other ills, but always with a tweak at the end that buckles the heart with its wistfulness.

It is his inspiration on all levels that keeps fans transfixed. It’s the way he will put on the best show possible, whether he’s performing in one of the larger venues or in a small theatre like the Centurion where he has such a loyal base, that keeps the audiences streaming in.The simplicity yet spectacle of 200 sticks dipped in white paint hanging from the ceiling (each one put up by hand) that enhances any lighting tricks on the night is jaw-dropping.

This isn’t ordinary fare. The more you see from this artist, the more you are in awe. His bag of tricks never diminishes and because he has a short attention span, within his very particular brand, he changes constantly. He is also supported by sublime musicians.

This time he has come up with a streamlined show that draws you in sharply. All the arrows are poised to hit their mark as you hardly have time to contemplate the cunning of a song before the next barrage of family matters tumble out onto the stage.

It’s a master class.

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