(Aaron McIlroy. Pic by Val Adamson)
McIlroy’s
best production to date showcases his many skills. (Review by Caroline Smart)
In my
opinion, Masterclass is Aaron McIlroy’s
best production to date as it showcases his many skills from his completely
wild and whacky characters to the exquisite poignancy of his final number on
the guitar.
He goes
through an impressive range of accents and moods but they are all “real” and
without the zaniness of the characters we have become accustomed to seeing from
him. I have been impressed with his acting skills since his early days in the
Loft Theatre Company and, judging by the response from the opening night’s
audience, his fans also reacted well to a side of him they haven’t seen before.
It’s a laugh a minute but there is a serious underlying element to Masterclass.
McIlroy reveals that the idea for the show came
from a talk given by American humorist and writer Emily Levin who lectures on
science and the human condition. He was inspired to “tackle humour from a more
intellectual, in-depth approach and to analyse all its intricacies.” The more
research he did on the subject, the more he felt that it would have a universal
appeal.
Don’t think for a moment that Masterclass is an academic lecture. Far
from it. It’s a delicious two-hour romp as we follow a number of characters who
talk about how comedy does or doesn’t work, its challenges as to where to draw
the line and the necessity to live with tension. He quips – “think of your body
as the Starship Enterprise – going where no man has gone before”.
What makes it more compelling is that most
of the tales are true – based on McIlroy’s own experiences, particularly a
hilarious recounting of his and his wife, Lisa Bobbert’s time working at a
venue in Hong Kong. Another amusing sequence saw the Censorship Board refusing
McIlroy’s licence on the grounds of his perceived rudeness to audiences in
previous shows.
The wildness and whacky scenes are there
but more in context for their position in the storytelling.
We mainly stay with the main character who
is in his dressing room preparing for a show. McIlroy becomes Aaron in a highly
amusing telephone call to John Cleese (McIlroy worked with him on the movie Spud?) where he races around the room
and up and down ladders to find a stronger cellphone signal.
Masterclass is directed by Patrick Kenny who co-wrote
the script with McIlroy. Lighting is by Michael Broderick and the set is
devised by the three of them as well as Bobbert. The set is a busy one with a
number of props scattered around divided into three sections, the dressing room
mirror, the central area with a divan and one which is used in the Star Trek scene and in a very funny
scene where he sends up events organisers.
Produced
by MacBob Productions, Comedy Masterclass
plays at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre until June 5, with performances at 19h30
from Tuesdays to Saturdays and at 18h00 on Sundays. Tickets R120 to R145. For
block booking discounts, call Ailsa Windsor on 083 250 2690 or email ailswyn@mweb.co.za
Booking
is through Computicket on 0861 915 8000. – Caroline Smart
Posts
