(Pic: Aaron McIlroy as Vijay Moodley)Amusing and clever handling of what could be a tricky subject! (Review by Caroline Smart)
A show with the title The Happy Clapper is enough to make my husband find any excuse - such as forced appendix removal without an anaesthetic - to avoid accompanying me! However, it is a tribute to director and co-writer Patrick Kenny and Aaron McIlroy’s handling of this highly amusing 75 minutes that this avowed cynic enjoyed himself and actually laughed out loud.
The Happy Clapper is certainly a smile a minute with some very clever dialogue. It’s not your usual McIlroy presentation interspersed with songs - in fact, he only gets to sit down with his guitar as himself (sans wig) at the end of the show to deliver the haunting Bob Dylan number, Make You Feel My Love. The plus side is that we get an opportunity to be reminded what a good actor he is beneath the fun and nonsense.
Aaron McIlroy’s idea of doing the show was to take a look at the general perception of Biblical characters and the media’s role in skewing people’s perceptions of Christianity, which he feels is not helped by glossy but fictitious renderings of characters in blockbusting movie epics.
The show aims to speak alike to those who follow other beliefs, as it does to members of the Christian faith, offering a broad scope of perspectives that enlighten and entertain while treating religious matters in a robust if sometimes tongue-in-cheek light. So, don’t feel that you will be preached to.
In the guise of a religious conference, Aaron trots out a number of characters starting off with Rabbi Lipschitz whose subject is The Old Testament. Slightly doddery but with a marked determination he tells us that the Bible is not a technical manual but a whodunit. This sets the tone for the evening! He goes on to talk about Noah’s Ark being no “Love Boat” cruise and generates much laughter with his rendition of the bemused looks on the faces of the recipients – such as Noah (“What’s an ark, God?”) and Moses - as they receive God’s instructions.
My favourite character is Gary van Vuuren, a not very bright surfer with a stuttering laugh. An endearing soul with a wide vacant smile and unkempt hair, he continually wanders off his subject of the New Testament – his notes having been written on a scruffy piece of paper – to give us his take on lifesavers, a plane companion with a tattoo and the important message about personal hygiene: “God doesn’t want stinky people in heaven!”
Then there’s the McIlroy standby character who has withstood numerous productions, the motor-mouthed irrepressible Vijay Moodley, looking very dapper and successful as befits someone who is looking for “profits” in going to church – although that’s not the intended spelling!
The show is supported by the usual audiovisual links featuring Shannon Kenny in charming charismatic talk-show host mode, offering an amusing interview with the lisping designer Thierry (Aaron in an outrageous outfit of lime green, plaid and fur complete with bare midriff).
Aaron is very good at handling audiences, particularly those who backchat him from the safety of their seats. Be warned, though, he’s a past master at handling wannabee comedians. He gives back as good as he gets!
The Happy Clapper runs at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre until March 13. Performances tomorrow and Saturday at 19h30 and on Sunday at 15h00 and 18h00. Tickets R95 (R85 Sunday 15h00 performance) booked through Computicket on 083 915 8000 or online at www.computicket.com. Block booking discounts are available. – Caroline Smart
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