DIANE DE BEER talks to Nataniël about the few weeks ahead…
After an absence of several years from any Johannesburg theatre stage, Nataniël brings his award-winning show, Prima Donna, to the Teatro at Montecasino for five performances only from August 17 to 20 at 8pm, with a matinee included on the Saturday at 3pm.
And while this is a show which he has performed before, it is a new staging with new stories or old ones updated and even the old songs have new arrangements.
Over the past few years Nataniël has written and staged more than 13 productions not seen in the Johannesburg area, and extraordinary moments from these shows as well as brand new material has been put together for five unforgettable gala concerts.
And, if you should wonder, naturally the costumes are all new, created by Floris Louw.That’s just who Nataniël is. But he’s nervous. This is a huge theatre, and even if it is similar to the seasons he used to stage annually at Emperors, he was familiar with the audience.
This time he doesn’t know because he hasn’t been in Joburg for some time. But those who know his work, won’t want to wait to buy tickets. His trademark stories will be in English and Afrikaans with songs in English.
(Book at SeatMe).
In this tale as the title suggests, he is dealing with prima donnas. It’s a touch of fantasy, a dash of humour, some sadness, and as a reality check, a take on history, family, failures, hope and modern society.
“We all know these drama queens, know how they operate and what they’re capable of. But we indulge them, their behaviour becomes worse and only death can release us,” he warns.
Charl du Plessis Trio will join him on stage for both shows with other musicians in tow. Pictured are Werner Spies (bass), Charl du Plessis (piano) and Peter Auret (drums).
He knows he also has that reputation, but his demands are about performance and what he knows he needs on stage. “I never fight, because I don’t like confrontation,” he says.
Never able to resist raising an eyebrow, he adds that he always believed one of the perks of success was being difficult!
“We hate them so we would rather do without them,” he says. But, in case you start taking all of this seriously, he says he chose the title because it looks good on the poster!
See what an interviewer has to contend with.
But before you lose patience, he includes one of his elaborate and irresistible descriptions: “If Sarah Bernhardt, Maria Callas and Isadora Duncan had a child, it would resemble my costumes!”
And, he adds, a touch of Florence Foster Jenkins.
His music he describes as a combination of the dramatical and accessible. “I sing many of my own songs and familiar old songs.”
With him on stage is Charl du Plessis who now travels with his own Steinway piano (and that’s a whole other story) Luke van der Merwe (guitar), Marcel Dednam (keyboard), and Werner Spies (bass), as well as Dihan Slabbert, Wiehahn Francke and Nicolaas Swart on vocals.
Having a final word, Nataniël notes that the show is vocally driven. “That’s what a prima donna does!” He’s been waiting for this one for 12 years. “I’m ready for that farewell concert,” he says.
And the force with which he speaks is almost persuasive, but I know about his addiction – performance – and he’s so good at that!
For those who are looking for something completely different, there’s a second concert of Afrikaans in Styl on September 9 presented at Sun Bet Arena in Times Square.
This time the artists included on the bill are Spoegwolf, Elvis Blue and Corlia.
“I’m the headgirl,” says Nataniël who will be staging the show. “It’s rare that artists are given a free hand to stage their own shows on this kind of platform,” he says, excited by the prospect.
Nataniël and Spoegwolf in a different kind of performance.
And if you’re not familiar with some of the performers, he explains it thus: Spoegwolf brings the war, Corlia brings the notes, Elvis, the smoothness and blues, and he brings the sequins.
The performers will almost exclusively be performing their own songs. “I love that. It’s rare that someone like Corlia who has such a huge voice is allowed to get away without singing Barcelona.”
Perhaps this time. It’s up to each one individually what they wish to perform.
He is also thrilled that this is a once-off. It won’t be filmed. If you’re not there, that’s it.
“The performers are all people who regularly perform in theatres.
“People must come and see. It will be new and not commercially driven. The artists will be adventurous with their performances and the staging will be daring.
“As artists (and audiences) we need to step out of our comfort zones when we go to shows. It’s a time for rebirth and venture.”
He always keeps in touch with what is happening in the rest of the world because it takes a time to reach our shores.
“We’re all ready to try new things!”
And why not.
“This time my brother won’t be hiding backstage. But we might have one or two surprises up our sleeve.”
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And talking about that, Nataniël also has a new Christmas book in shops in October.
The title is Help, Help, it is beautifully packaged with a special cover for the festive season, and once you’ve seen it, packed with unpublished Afrikaans and English short stories, your Christmas shopping will be done.
And still there’s more: Rome 62 will be staged at Atterbury Theatre later in the year, a new Mis will be performed at Aardklop Aubade in Pretoria and there’s the annual Christmas season also at the Atterbury Theatre.
And even then he’s not done. But we will wait for the final conclusion to his year.
In the meantime, he’s busy on stage – performing.
De Beer Necessities 
This time I will be there to see some of this magic. Cant wait.