BLUE VELVET: Blue Baths Comedy Cabaret musical director Darlene Mohekey. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Extravagant costumes, flamboyant characters and plenty of hilarity will feature in the Blue Bath's Comedy Cabaret.
The show, which opens this weekend and runs until February 15, will include slapstick comedy, illusions, singing and dancing performances.
Director Ian Harman describes the performance as a mixture of styles.
"It's avant-garde meets burlesque, burlesque meets circus, and a bit of everything else too.
"It's something I think everyone will enjoy. It's quite magical," he said.
Harman will play one of six characters in the show, with Go Girls actress Bronwyn Turei playing another.
As well as directing, co-writing and acting in the show, Harman has also played the key role in designing its costumes.
"The costumes are really a spectacle in themselves. They're brilliant, absolutely stunning."
Harman said juggling his many roles in the show had proved to be a bit difficult.
"I'm incredibly stressed. But it's still been an amazing experience and I've just loved it."
He said the process began when he and co-writer and musical director Darlene Mohekey spent three days brainstorming ideas for the show.
"We hardly got any sleep and came up with so many ideas, we laughed ourselves stupid."
After this Harman and Mohekey spent about a month organising the show, before three weeks of rehearsals with cast members began, he said.
He wanted to thank everyone who has helped with or supported the show and hoped audiences would appreciate all the work that has been put into it. Harman said while audiences can expect to be in "fits in laughter" 99 per cent of the show, there will be moments where the more human and truthful side of some characters will be revealed.
He hoped the show would be a success and have a life beyond its season.
"I just hope people will come to watch it.
"It really is just pure joy, fun and hilarity and definitely worth seeing."For more information visit: www.bluebaths.co.nz
Taupō mum of two Emma Kettlewell was diagnosed with cancer a year ago.