You have to realise that the future of live entertainment has arrived when you see industry heavyweights like Loukmaan Adams, Alistair Izobell and Mujahid George team up to do a live stream lockdown show.
Their show, titled The Realness, which starred the three Cape Town stars, was exactly that, a realisation that this is now the new normal for live shows in the entertainment industry.
A cast of performers, a camera crew, a PA system and no audience but a massive online viewership, with mense constantly interacting via live stream commentary.
PREP: Camera crew member
The event was not your typical live stream show where people had to purchase tickets, rather, it was one where the audience could watch for free or make a donation if they felt like it.
It was strange for me to watch these talented performers singing without hearing the reaction of a live crowd, but I was also quite delighted to read the joyful comments, GIFs and emojis that streamed onto my phone’s screen.
It brought such a happiness to me that I also pressed the reaction button a few times. People could express their love of a certain song and their admiration of the sheer professionalism and charm which these seasoned performers displayed.
It is extremely difficult to do a show without an audience, but their experience made it easier and this translated beautifully onscreen, and it was quite real and raw as they expressed their fears with regards to the Coronavirus and how they are coping, in a witty and at times comical way.
They may not know it, but they helped us realise that this is our new normal and it may not be as bad as we think.
I for one enjoyed being able to lay in bed while watching a live local show, not having to stress about driving, parking or even what to wear.
I could sit in my gown oppie kooi and watch them live in my kamer.
No flashy lights or pyrotechnics or heavy costumes, just their ability to tell stories in an entertaining, yet humane manner.
When speaking to Mujahid George about the show, he says: “The objective of the experience was achieved by creating a comfortable, interactive, familiar two hours of conversation and entertainment.
“The loyal following that we all enjoy and those who sampled us for the first time were embraced with love and kindness that was reciprocated to us.
“We never intended it to be a show, rather an experience of love and gratitude for the continuous support of our craft during these unprecedented times.”
With that said, I believe there are more of these types of shows taking place because of the pandemic.
The arts is starting to find its feet again and audiences are beginning to adapt and also fall in love with this format.
In my opinion, long after this pandemic is done, live streaming will continue.
In fact, it will become a feature for every single live show because if Covid-19 is teaching the arts community one lesson, it is that there has always been an online community wanting to watch the shows but could not attend for whatever reasons.
So congratulations on a brilliant show, manne, and may the next one be even better as “The Realness” settles in and we accept just how normal it is to have someone laugh at a joke with an emoji.