(Lisa Bobbert & Aaron McIlroy in the gym sketch.
Pic by Val Adamson)
Duo with the energy to run Koeberg present a hilarious
evening’s entertainment. (Review by Caroline Smart
Individually, the multi-award winning husband and wife
team of Lisa Bobbert and Aaron McIlroy present an impressive sense of vigour, but
put them together on a stage and they exude enough energy to run the Koeberg power
plant. This is evident in their new show, The Seven Deadly Sins.
For those unaware of the fact, the seven deadly sins
are made up of Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy and Pride. They are described
on Wikipedia as “a classification of vices (part of Christian
ethics) that has been used since early Christian times to educate and instruct
Christians concerning fallen humanity's tendency to sin”.
However, don’t even begin to think that this
production is a religious, do-good homily. Far from it, it’s a bundle of wonderful
nonsense from beginning to end as they work through the seven deadly sins. This
is the kind of fun we have come to expect from Bobbert and McIlroy!
Under director Steven Stead’s stabilising influence,
they present a hilarious evening’s entertainment in a show co-written by Susan
Monteregge that is full of clever gags and delightful scenes.
The Seven Deadly Sins takes the scenario
of a television programme. It opens with a delightful send-up – choreography and
all – of a pop-song by two characters in the programme. Hostess/presenter
Yawana valiantly tries to interview fashion guru Yogwana who looks like he’s
been let loose from a Viking beauty salon!
The “programme” then follows with interviews, songs
such as Hey, Sexy Lady, Work B**ch, Toxic and Get Lucky and sketches all joined by audiovisual
links (they have to change costume sometime!). There are too many hilarious scenes
to mention but my favourites were the one in the gym where two socialites throw
bitchy gibes at each other and another where a couple try to regain their equilibrium
after a night out where they went to a swinging party by mistake!
The Seven Deadly Sins shows the amazing capacity of these two performers – their comedy
skills, singing ability and versatility in terms of accents.
Michael Broderick’s set is clear and untrammelled, the
simple use of the word “seven” in letters across the stage on platforms, a
hanging screen to carry the audiovisual links and – my best – a backdrop of
pipes. His lighting is excellent, turning the simple into the highly effective.
Choreography is by Janine Bennewith and Kevin Ellis
and Gareth Greaves designed the costumes. Creating the selection of props are
Bryan Mark Hiles who was responsible for the huge Toby character (Aaron in a huge
fatsuit) and Greg King.
Presented by MacBob Productions, The Seven Deadly
Sins plays at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre in Durban until March 9 with shows
Tuesdays to Saturdays at 19h30 (Sundays at 18h00). Tickets R140 booked through
Computicket on 0861 915 8000 or online at www.computicket.com – Caroline Smart
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