Put on your blues shades, brus...

September 29, 2009
By Zane Henry

Whoo-hoo! Jozi's got the blues! Popular musical The Blues Brothers runs from tonight until October 25 at Sandton's Theatre on the Square.

Based on the characters created by Dan Ackroyd and John Belushi for Saturday Night Live, the show pays tribute to the songs and gags from the TV show and the Blues Brothers movies. Johan Baird and Alwyn Kotze take on the iconic roles of Jake and Elwood Blues. They are backed by three Bluettes, Crushanda Forbes, Tshepi Mashego and Lebo Toko. They are directed by Clayton Stewart, who starred in the original SA production as Elwood Blues.

"It's a very vibey show that will get people partying," Baird says. "It's not a rip-off of the films. It pays tribute to the characters and the music. Alwyn and I try to channel the spirit of Ackroyd and Belushi without directly imitating them."

Baird and Kotze are good friends and flatmates. Kotze used to play for Afrikaans rock band Lukraakitaar. He and Baird currently play together in a project called Jaco Britz.

"We know each other very well and have a good vibe between us," Baird says.

"The Bluettes - Crushanda , Tshepi and Lebo - are amazing singers and quite intimidating. We have a great time together and enjoy performing together. It's hard not to, with such great songs as material. We're not getting into the slow, suicidal blues, but going instead for fun, cheeky songs like Mustang Sally and Jailhouse Rock."


Baird graduated from UCT with a BA Honours degree in theatre and performance and won a Fleur de Cap award in 2004 for most promising student.

Since then he has appeared in many productions. He starred in the Cape Town run of Pythonesque directed by Alan Swerdlow and before that, he played Walter in the musical Chess. He has played in several comedies including 39 Steps, Modern Orthodox, Frankenstein and Around the World in 80 Days.

"I'm lucky enough to be getting regular work now, so my parents are a bit happier," he laughs. "They've always been amazingly supportive. I hope to be able to do regular theatre work for many years."

• The season at the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square runs from tonight until October 25 with shows from Tuesday to Friday at 8.15pm and two shows on Saturday at 5.30pm and 8.30pm and a matinee on Sundays at 3pm. (Tuesdays buy one get one free.)

To book call 011 883 8606 or 073 725 7381 or online on www.theatreonthesquare.co.za

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