NIK RABINOWITZ ELECTRIFIES IN POWER STRUGGLE

Nik Rabinowitz’s Power Struggle is a high energy comedy show about power and its undeniable effect on human evolution.

I arrived at the Baxter feeling excited to watch a live comedy show that I knew I’d be able to relate to. We all use power, and its availability or lack thereof affects everyone; whether you live in a cave or a castle.

Nik’s various personas, complete with turbo-charged voice impersonations enlighten the audience about power’s dark history. I couldn’t choose my favourite; the skins-clad caveman, slurring eighteenth-century gentleman, and maternal bubbe (Jewish grandmother) all cracked me up.

The amount of energy that Nik burnt during his performance probably could have powered the entire Baxter Theatre including those iconic 70s ceiling lights in the foyer.

For almost 90 minutes, Nik generated laughter with energetic anecdotes about Elon Musk, politics, loadshedding, Banting, hadedas, and everything in between. I thought about how a comedian is similar to a rapper. It’s one man’s head space bubbling out his mouth, but this one really had a point.

We are all too aware of impending power problems. What is the solution? The production doesn’t just focus on a quest for sustainable power; it runs on it. Two strapping lads pedal away on set to power 50% of the show. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Power is constantly evolving and the twenty-first century holds unprecedented opportunity.

A highly talented creative team designed Power Struggle to shift our consciousness about sustainability. I particularly loved the quirky illustrations that were projected on a screen to complement Nik’s animated performance even further. It was no surprise when I found out that the talented Mr Sakitumi & The Grrrl are the creative force behind the energetic visuals and sound.

Why am I sitting in a theatre? Well, for the past 2 weeks @the_grrrl and I have been working with the talented and funny @nikrabinowitz on his new show #PowerStruggle She has been doing all the visual content creation, compositing, as well as live interactive visuals for the show nights. I have been doing all the sound design…and by some strange powers above…all the illustrations as well. I know what you’re thinking…me…an illustrator?…well this is comedy ? Power Struggle is running at the Baxter Theatre until the 16th of April. ?: @labridy #theatre #comedy #audiovisual #nikrabinowitz #illustrations

A photo posted by Mr Sakitumi (@mrsakitumi) on Mar 31, 2016 at 10:49am PDT

The inspiring show not only got the feel-good endorphins rushing; it delivered a thought-provoking message. As we drove home along De Waal Drive, I marvelled at the twinkling city lights and wondered how I could hook up my bicycle to my prepaid electricity meter.

OF NOTE
When Until 16 April 2016 at 8 pm
Where Baxter Theatre, Main Road, Rondebosch (map)
Cost R135 at Computicket
Contact +27 21 685 7880, 0861 915 8000, www.powerstruggle.info

Photography courtesy