(Andy
Turrell & Aaron McIlroy. Pic by Val Adamson)
One of McIlroy’s finest shows to date.
(Review by Caroline Smart)
Originally directed by Steven Stead for the
2014 Hilton Arts Festival and featuring Aaron McIlroy in all his powerhouse
energy, The Ranga has just opened for
a short season in the Playhouse Drama.
The musical comedy takes a tongue-in-cheek
look at people with red hair. It takes its title from the word ‘ranga’ which is
derived from ‘Orang-utan’ (red haired monkeys) and is a term used to describe
people with varying shades of red hair.
Good to see McIlroy back at the Playhouse
which is where he started his professional career in the early 1990s as a
member of The Loft Company. Its many groundbreaking and innovative productions
clearly demonstrated McIlroy’s growing capacity as a highly skilled serious
actor. However, it wasn’t long before McIlroy realised that his best ability
lay in making people laugh and he has done this highly successfully, performing
his madcap but thought-provoking shows on a national scale.
The
Ranga is yet another madcap but thought-provoking
piece, the Playhouse Drama stage presenting no obstacle for a red bewigged McIlroy
to bounce into the auditorium to prey on a hapless soul to the delight of the audience.
It is also one of McIlroy’s finest shows to date.
We are at the opening of The Ranga Cultural
Centre which is situated on the Red Rover reservation, celebrating 25 years of
the Ranga Rights Movement. McIlroy, whose last job involved armpit sniffing for
a deodorant company, invites the audience to have an authentic Ranga
experience. These will include learning about traditional songs including a
traditional lullaby called Someone Ate
the Baby (getting the picture?) Performing with him is guitarist Andy
Turrell who McIlroy confidentially explains was considered a girl when he was
born and called Sue.
The show is designed and lit by the highly-skilled
Michael Broderick and features a hessian-covered hut structure surrounded by a
jumble of props including a tree trunk with a small monkey in a cage. In Turrell’s
space are a couple of guitars and percussion instruments. Normally performing in
the background as a band member, this time Turrell is very much part of the
show. He is a perfect foil for McIlroy’s energy, presenting a delightful deadpan
outlook throughout and stolidly obeying McIlroy’s barked orders! He is an utter
delight as well as being a fine musician.
The humour in The Ranga is often completely outrageous. There is much music in
the show – lots of it full of toe-tapping energy but we do get to hear the real
McIlroy in a few emotive numbers such as Days
Like This and Starry Starry Night.
Presented by MacBob Productions in
association with The Playhouse Company, The
Ranga runs in the Playhouse Drama until December 14 with performances
Tuesdays to Saturdays at 19h30 with 15h00 matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets
R150 booked through Computicket on 0861 915 8000 or online at www.computicket.com as well as via the
Playhouse Box Office on 031 369 9540 (office hours). – Caroline Smart
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