(Aaron McIlroy & Lisa
Bobbert)
Powerhouse times two as Bobbert and McIlroy create flurry of fun and
nonsense. (Review by Caroline Smart)
Eight years ago, the irrepressible duo of Aaron McIlroy and Lisa Bobbert
launched a production which won a number of awards called Defending the Planet, a whacky take on alien
abduction.
They’re back in full force with Defending
the Planet #2 which is set at the Annual General Meeting of Alien Abductees
Anonymous. The meeting is hosted by Helen Degenerate (get it?) who then introduces
various speakers and entertainers. These are all portrayed by either Bobbert or
McIlroy in a flurry of fun and nonsense.
For those who don’t know, Bobbert and McIlroy are married and between
them, they have amassed an impressive number of awards over the years for their
work. Rightly so – individually they are bundles of energy but combined they are
a formidable force. A powerhouse times two!
Working on a simple but effective set with excellent lighting by Mike
Broderick, the pair look at what the AAA’s aims are and how to recognise alien
intervention.
Those who saw the first Defending
the Planet will recognise the manic Nigel Bjorn van Rensburg, a favourite McIlroy
character who - if I remember correctly, is the offspring of an alien and a
member of ABBA! One of the most hilarious scenes is when van Rensburg leaps at,
pokes, thumps and generally mercilessly attacks an alien dummy which descends
from the heavens.
McIlroy also gives an amusing portrayal of a stuffy academic as well as
a black rapper. And of course, no show with McIlroy would be complete without his
fast-talking Vijay Maharaj who has his own commercial take on the five stages
of coping with alien abduction.
Bobbert, who generates applause from the very outset, plays Helen Degenerate
with smooth charm and control, informing us that she is the daughter of
Liberace and an alien. Among other roles, she revisits her slightly dof car guard
Delphine but her best was the sexy Mauritian Dr Martine Bardot who was very
concerned about the extinction of the dodo.
There is much audience participation – we are the initiates, there to
learn about our Alien Abductee experience and it was good to see members
joining in the fun. McIlroy is well known for his mild bullying and I never
cease to be amazed at his physical energy and agility!
The show is full of high energy well-known music numbers and well-peppered
with current gags. Parliament comes in for its fair share of ribbing!
Written by Susan Monteregge and directed by Darren King, Defending the Planet #2 runs at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre until March 15
with performances Tuesdays to Saturdays at 19h30 and Sundays at 14h00 (NB: Change
of time to accommodate possible load-shedding). Tickets R150 (R120 students and
pensioners) available through Computicket on 0861 915 8000 or online at www.computicket.com
For block bookings at discounted rates, contact Ailsa Windsor at Going
Places via email atailswyn@mweb.co.za
or call 031 201 2831 / 083 250 2690. – Caroline Smart
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