The Parlotones – ‘Dragonflies and Astronauts’

The LW team was invited to a special preview of the new production Dragonflies & Astronauts featuring the Parlotones – Driven by Volkswagen, in association with 94.7 Highveld Sterro, Nu metro and Mnet at Montecasino’s Teatro last night. So what’s our verdict on the Pink Floyd/David Bowie style sci-fi fantasy rock theatre show? We’re going with weird and wonderful.

Set in the future in a world ruled by three dictators, where fear of apocalypse has eliminated every discordant voice and all passion, the sci-fi tale follows our heroine – an alien visitor – who falls to this planet and is discovered by a young man who immediately falls for her. The space creature’s untouchable beauty is so spectacular that all are entranced by her and the three dictators are driven by the idea of being able to possess her. They present her with offers of wealth, power and knowledge but she remains unmoved. To maintain order in their world, they decide to isolate her from all others on a distant moon. Our story’s anti-hero is so overcome by the loss of his true love that he risks his life and, with no hope of returning to his home, he follows her into space.

It’s a must-see for Parlotones fans; they’ve blended concert and theatre seamlessly and the guys leave no room for doubt why they’re South Africa’s biggest and most popular act – they’re polished and it shows. You realise after watching the production just how many hits this four-piece has spawned and that you know the words to virtually every single one, song after song. It was also great to hear some material we haven’t heard in a while – some of the hits from way back in 2005. The story unfolds to the music and the audience is definitely taken on a dramatic visual journey, as promised. The costume and set impress and the sound will leave you vibrating in your seats long after the show has finished (we’re still undecided as to whether or not this is a good thing). There’s also some epic robot dancing (not from Kahn or the boys unfortuantely) – what’s not to love? The tale is enchanting if not pretty out-there – so we’re not sure if this show is for everyone – but as we said – if you’re a fan, you’ll dig it!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYDTdodMQIQ

Dragonflies & Astronauts will open at the Teatro at Montecasino on 13 July (tonight) and will run until 17 July.

On the 16^th of July 2011 Dragonflies & Astronauts will be broadcast live from The Teatro at Montecasino in 3D. The transmission – a world first – will be beamed via satellite to 3D outlets around the globe.

Fans all over South Africa that cannot make the live theatre production will be happy to know that Nu Metro has come on board as the live 3D broadcast partner in South Africa. Fans of The Parlotones will be able to catch all the action in full 3D in real time.

Participating Nu Metro Theatres:

Montecasino – Johannesburg North

Hyde Park – Johannesburg North

Emperors Palace – Johannesburg East

Bedford Centre – Johannesburg East

Clearwater Mall – Johannesburg West

The Glen – Johannesburg South

Menlyn Park – Pretoria

Riverside – Nelspruit

Loch Logan – Bloemfontein

Pavilion – Durban

Galleria – Durban