It's not normal when you go to the theatre to discover the first few rows of the audience putting on waterproof ponchos of a style much-loved by theme park regulars.
But then, The Blue Man Group's Bluevolution isn't a normal show.
The trio of slightly sinister, boiler-suited performers are something of a global sensation and Bluevolution is their latest offering.
It's part slapstick, part performance art and part electronic disco with a heavy metal beat with elements of a bunch of nursery school kids being let loose in the toy box.
It's certainly hard to pin any one label on to the show which had the diehards whooping and hollering from the start.
It's certainly very clever. From the moment you enter a series of messages flash up on big screens taking the whole 'please switch off your mobile phone' warnings to a whole new dimension.
It's also a no expense spared production with elaborate computer graphics adding to the sci-fi feel.
On stage it's just the trio of Blue Men plus a new addition for this tour, a fantastic drummer/instrumentalist known as The Rockstar who provides the backbeat to the show from a platform high above the stage in a world of dry ice and neon lights.
As a newcomer to the world of the Blue Men I genuinely didn't know what to expect. I knew they did some drumming and there was some splashing of paint involved but that's about as far as my knowledge went.
And both featured prominently in the show. What I didn't expect was the amount of audience participation. Sitting at the end of a row, each time the trio of overfed Minions left the stage on the look-out for 'volunteers' I felt distinctly uncomfortable; thankfully I escaped being called up.
And for goodness sake, don't be late. The show has the best way to deal with latecomers you're likely to see.
Some of the musical elements of the show are mindblowing. The trio hammer out rhythms and tunes on a bewildering contraption of plastic pipes. Then there are the stunts involving breakfast cereals, bubble gum and a hosepipe.
Not a word is spoken throughout which gives the show a universal appeal and much of the comedy is reminiscent of the silent movie era.
But for all the spectacular moments - I really want one of the massive streamer guns they use to fire paper (recycled, of course) into the balcony - there were parts of the show which, to me, just seemed to be treading water (or paint).
Also the show appeared to end on a bit of a whimper rather than a bang. Perhaps the hype had got to me, but good as it was, I was left expecting a bit more.
The Blue Man Group's Bluevolution runs at The Lowry until Sunday. Details from www.thelowry.com
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