(Aaron McIlroy &
Lisa Bobbert)
Enormously talented and skilled comics deliver wall to
wall gags with aplomb and exquisite timing. (Review by Keith Millar)
The comedy component of this year’s New Stages season
at the Playhouse in Durban was provided by the city’s first family of mirth,
Aaron McIlroy and Lisa Bobbert.
For his special occasion they have revived their 2014
hit show, 7 Deadly Sins. The
production played to sold-out audiences at the Playhouse’s Loft Theatre over
the past week-end.
7 Deadly Sins takes an
irreverent and hilarious look at the quintessential seven deadly sins of lust,
gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride. It is presented in the form of a
live TV programme during which the whacky presenters, Yawana and Yogwana, introduce
a host of totally off-the-wall, screwball characters who present a madly comic,
alternative look at the vices and virtues of the seven sins.
Included among the eccentric oddballs are the most
vainglorious Viking designer you would ever hope to meet, a wide eyed, ditsy
and rather gormless couple who, having accidentally stumbled upon a swingers
party, are looking for any excuse to go back, and the astonishing Toby, McIlroy
dressed in a massive fat suit, who takes gluttony to a whole new level.
Then there are the ultra bitchy gym bunnies that envy
everyone and everything, and also a welcome visit from one of McIlroy’s
recurring characters, Vijay from Phoenix, who is in top form as explains the
importance of wrath in our daily life.
Liberal use is made of overhead video projections, not
only add to the merriment of the show, but to allow the duo time to change into
their variety marvelous and highly creative costumes.
With all their usual ebullience and dynamism, McIlroy
and Bobbert keep their audience in stitches from the beginning of the show to
end. These enormously talented and skilled comics deliver their wall to wall
gags with aplomb and exquisite timing. There is also enough of their hilarious
trademark physical comedy to keep everyone rolling in the aisles.
They display their versatility during the show by
singing songs such as Shaggy’s Hey, Sexy Lady,
Britney Spears’ Toxic and Daft Punk’s
Get Lucky.
The only down side with the performance for me was the
venue. McIlroy and Bobbert have huge personalities which were a little
overwhelming in the intimate Loft Theatre. I can’t help wondering why they
weren’t accommodated in the much larger Drama Theatre.
7 Deadly Sins was
written by Aaron McIlroy and Lisa Bobbert, co-written by Sue Monteregge and was
produced by McBob Productions.
It offers wonderful, uninhibited and escapist fun from
beginning to end. One can only hope it enjoys a revival in the future so that
more comedy lovers could be exposed to this top class entertainment. – Keith
Millar
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