Blue Man Group are a long established (since 1987) group of performers with their own unique brand of entertainment, the main feature of which is their phenomenal drumming. They always appear as a trio and are completely silent, in that they do not speak a word throughout the whole performance.
Their current world tour, “Bluevolution” features a female drummer who provides them with excellent support but also gets her moment in the spotlight.
I have seen Blue Man Group on the television and I wasn’t really sure how they could make their act stretch to a full ninety minute show (there is no interval) but they have crafted a wonderful evening’s entertainment, full of fun and joy and I was so sorry when it came to an end.
The Blue Men mingled with the audience before the show….wordlessly (obviously) just staring like bemused woodland creatures as they went on their way.
Even before the Blue Men come on stage, we are entertained with amusing messages on a reader board and some audience members are given a special mention. Maybe you’ll get one?!
The show opens with what they are best known for – drumming with coloured water in the top of the drums, it’s absolutely mesmerising and also hilarious the way they do it. (Don’t worry, if you’re sitting in the “splash zone” they provide plastic ponchos!)
The evening comprises drumming, comedy and audience participation. Oh and don’t be late because it won’t go unnoticed…!
They don’t speak a word or have different facial expressions and everything is communicated through head and body movements but you’re never in any doubt about what they are conveying. They don’t even have to do anything to make you laugh – just the way they stand and stare is hilarious. I love the way they seem constantly bemused by everything and a little bit other worldly.
They wander among the audience several times picking out ‘volunteers’ and the people selected tonight entered into it fully and were good sports.
From one section to the next, you have no idea what is going to happen and the constant surprises made it the theatrical equivalent of a selection box (but without the orange cream!) I particularly liked the “rock concert movement” section which everyone went with and the feelgood factor went through the roof.
The finale itself is worthy of five stars alone. It’s absolutely insane: a joyful and immersive celebration with streamers being fired into the air so that you feel as though you’re at a crazy indoor firework show, with amazing lighting and mind blowing drumming.
It’s difficult to pigeonhole this show as it’s so unique: it’s unusual, it’s entertaining, it will appeal to everybody. It’s gorgeously weird and spectacularly different with a bit of surrealness thrown in for good measure: bizarre escapism at its best.
Tonight was ninety minutes of non-stop crazy entertainment without a word spoken but so much was communicated.
A fun and memorable night from start to finish, ironically a total cure for the blues!
‘Bluevolution’ is showing at the Lowry Theatre until 6th October. The Blue Man Group | What’s On | The Lowry
Reviewer: Nicky Lambert
Reviewed: 2nd October 2024
North West End UK Rating: