October is a month packed with performances for one of our most prolific performers, Nataniël. He tells DIANE DE BEER about his punishing schedules as he presents three shows – all completely different, yet all with one thing in common, the artist and his creativity:

It all begins with Momentum Beleggings Aardklop which is back in Potchefstroom following the upheavals of the pandemic

Ring van Vuur attempts to bind five fiery elements together: original music from more than three decades; original stories as only he can imagine; the rhythms and techniques of countries such as Mexico, Argentina, Chile and Peru; a shimmering set of costumes designed by his personal designer Floris Louw; and seven world class musicians.

Charl du Plessis on keyboards is joined by Werner Spies (bass) and Peter Auret (bass) as well as four brilliant guitar players: Juan Oosthuizen, Loki Rothman, Leon Gropp and Luke van der Merwe.

He promises to present 90 minutes of heartache, humour, heat, virtuosity and rhythms.

As part of the Aardklop festivities, the show will be presented on October 3 at 3 and 7pm in the Beeld Auditorium

Book at ticketpros.co.za.

Nataniël follows this with a short new season titled ROME ’62

On October 10 to 15, he returns to Pretoria’s Atterbury Theatre.

At a fair in the Free State, there’s a stall that sells second hand clothes. In between the rather tired-looking garments, there’s an unusual outfit, handmade by an acclaimed Italian designer. This discovery a few years back, was the first sighting of what has eventually turned into this particular show.

From family secrets, suspicion, stunning strangers, international travel, legendary films, timeless radio hits to exuberant fashion and the most dramatic designs, everything is included with stories in both English and Afrikaans, as well as music in abundance, brand new as well as six decades old.

Charl du Plessis (piano), Werner Spies (bass), Peter Auret (drums) and Wernd van Staden (cello) will be the accompanying orchestra.

Costumes by Floris Louw.

ROME ’62

Atterbury Theatre

From 10 to 15 October

Book at Seat Me

Finally a performance that Nataniël is hugely excited about and describes as his best:

Titled MASS FOR THE GOOD PRINCES it is a follow-up of last year’s successful DIE SMITSTRAAT SUITE. This one though is his first full length musical mass based on the classical structure of a composition with five, six or seven parts, which is a prayer for goodness, new leadership and the hope of a new generation.

The mass will be sung in Latin and English with stories and descriptions in Afrikaans.

As before, he shares the stage with Ockie Vermeulen (organ),

Charl du Plessis (keyboard), Juan Oosthuizen (guitar), Werner Spies (bass), Peter Auret (drums and percussion) and the Akustika Chamber Choir led by Christo Burger.

Aardklop Aubade

Sunday October 29

Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool

11am and 3pm

Book at ticketpros.co.za

At all these shows, he begs for no cell phones, no short pants and promises no intervals!