Lisa Bobbert
She’s wild, she’s whacky, she’s wonderful! The irrepressible Lisa Bobbert unleashes her zany zoo of loopy alter-egos in her show, Bobbertlicious this weekend at Stirling Theatre.
This multi-award winning performer has a large and adoring following among South African theatre audiences with hit productions under her belt, most recently in KickstArt’s sellout Cander and Ebb musical, Cabaret where she played the lead role of Sally Bowles, and the 2011 Christmas season musical at the Playhouse Company, Cinderella where she played the evil Stepmother.
A comedienne at heart, she infuses her performances with a wide palette of emotional undertones and razor-sharp perceptions that bring her many-sided stage characters to life. Equally adept as a singer-dancer, mimic and dramatic actor, she has made a significant contribution to the South African theatre industry, both as a solo star and working in collaboration with her husband and partner, actor-producer Aaron McIlroy.
Bobbert’s appearances over the past few years have been in her one-woman shows, Bobbert Uncut directed by Caroline Smart and Chronicles of a Car Guard, directed by Sue Monteregge. She was also in KickstArt’s Popcorn directed by Steven Stead and in a return season of MacBob Productions' Abbamaniacs. In 2006 she co-starred with Carol Trench as Eliza Doolittle in The Playhouse Company's production of My Fair Lady, directed by Steven Stead and designed by Greg King and Neil Stuart-Harris.
Other stage appearances over the last few years include the popular two-hander, Convent Girls, with Tonya Koenderman at the Heritage Theatre and Sue Clarence Promotions' runaway award-winning hit, Brutal Tunes, directed by Caroline Smart. Her performances in the latter production at Durban's Rhumbelow Theatre set a new bench-mark in virtuoso comic exuberance that will remain indelibly imprinted in the memory of those fortunate enough to have seen the actress winging from one calamitously funny high point to the next.
Her assumption of the classic role of Shirley Valentine testifies to the ever-expanding range of an artist at the height of her powers. Lisa won Best Actress for Shirley Valentine at The Mercury Durban Theatre Awards and The Mercury Personality of the year 2008.
In April 2009, her role as the sexy, dumb blond, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors earned Lisa a Best Actress Award and the title "Durban's Queen of Comedy". Bobbert also appeared in the hilarious farce, Noises Off and was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Award for her portrayal of Dotty Oatley. Lisa ended 2009 playing Eliza Doolittle in the Playhouse Company’s revival of My Fair Lady for which she won a Best Actress Award in a Musical.
2010 brought much excitement with Bobbert and her husband, Aaron McIlroy starring in their zany, musical comedy Reality Bites at the Sneddon Theatre.
Bobbertlicious runs at the Stirling Theatre on March 9 and 10 at 20h00 and on March 11 at 15h00. The Stirling Theatre is situated in the Italian Club along Fairway near the Beachwood Golf Course. Tickets R80pp. Take your own picnic or snacks but the venue offers The Italian Club’s optional a la carte menu for patrons wishing to eat, and a fully stocked bar. There is plenty of secure parking. Bookings 076 786 1127 or 082 970 0002 or email bookings@stirlingtheatre.co.za (Regret no credit card facilities) More information at www.stirlingtheatre.co.za