Prepare to be astounded and delighted at the inventiveness of this extraordinary comedy music man. (Review by Caroline Smart)
Prepare to be astounded and delighted at the inventiveness of Michel Lauzière whose show has just opened at the iZulu Theatre at Sibaya. He dubs himself Master of Unusual Comedy which is a major understatement. This is an extraordinary performance of refreshing and ironic humour linked to an innovative skill that left the audience riveted in fascination.
Those who are musicians or involved in the making of music – such as instrument makers, performers, sound technicians and the like – will appreciate the skill behind his show all the more.
It is interesting to learn that he is a self-taught musician. From an early age he wanted to play music. Unfortunately, his parents weren’t able to afford the money to allow him to pursue his dream but they did offer him the opportunity to use anything in the household. So he set about creating his own instruments and making his own kind of music. Thus was born the whacky Dishaphone on which he plays It’s Now or Never progressing from an egg-whisk to ever-more powerful items to create a stronger percussive impact.
His first stay in the country introduced him to cow bells and he has a delightful sequence where he gives selected audience members a bell each and then proceeds to “conduct” his orchestra according to a colour chart. “You can tell by now that this is no regular concert,” he quips, as he straps bells onto his person to create more music. Even a slight flick of his head and the shake of his hips ring bells. At the age of 12, he started his own band. A four-piece outfit, it comprised himself on vocals, himself on guitar, himself on drums and I forget what else!
A piece of hosepipe becomes a blowpipe to fire at an apple (William Tell overture), a chicken baster and nose dropper provide high notes, a shoelace driven by a twirling egg-beater flaps against plastic spoons arrayed on a board (the wonderful Spoonaphone, my best!) and his rock and roll band beats all! His Hornophone – on which he can play the opening to Beethoven’s 5th, The Blue Danube and Kalinka - has to be seen to be believed. More I will not reveal for fear of spoiling the surprises.
The show will appeal to all ages and for those parents who are sensitive as to the kind of comedy language their children are exposed to, there is nothing contentious here. Throw in some acrobatics and juggling and a hectic encounter with a giant balloon and the youngsters will be heading for the kitchen as soon as they get home to try their hand at the Lauzière ingenuity.
Michel Lauzière has performed on five continents for an estimated 1 billion viewers. That’s some CV! At the media launch, a privileged group of arts journalists were able to enjoy a masterpiece of creativity as he roller-skated down a New York street with paddles attached to his skates, playing the opening sequence to a well-known Mozart symphony as the paddles clipped a variety of bottles. Understandably, he’s appeared in major international television networks including no less than 75 television variety shows.
I would have been fascinated to have been a fly on the wall when he first started creating his musical inventions all those years ago – and even to watch him working on new ideas now. At the media launch, he quipped that he was now “banned from the kitchen” at home but had his own kitchen in his workshop, Wherever he performs around the world, he first heads for his nearest music-making outlet – a hardware shop!
Michel Lauzière runs at the iZulu Theatre at Sibaya Casino & Entertainment Kingdom until January 11 and offers the perfect choice for the festive season – particularly if you want to escape the Christmas hype!
Shows are on Tuesdays to Sundays with matinees and early evening shows on selected days. Tickets R135 throughout with special R80 ticket price for children under 16 on December 17 & 18, January 7 & 8 at 19h30 and December 24 at 18h30. Booking is through Computicket. – Caroline Smart
Some of Michel's antics can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5APJNzv9QI www.youtube.com/watch?v=bazh_4ypgmA where you will see his famous orange horn suit which, as mentioned, forms part of the show at Sibaya. More to watch on www.michellauziere.com
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