(Lisa Bobbert & Aaron McIlroy)
McIlroy and Bobbert give their enthusiastic audiences exactly what they want. (Review by Caroline Smart)
Macbob Productions in association with The Rhumbelow Theatre presents the hugely-popular duo of Aaron McIlroy and Lisa Bobbert in Hysterix which runs over this festive season at Tina’s Hotel in Kloof and at The Northlands Bowling Club, Durban North.
McIlroy and Bobbert have been part of the Durban comedy for many years whether in joint shows or individual ones. Their capacity for characterisation is well-known and two of these are the bossy, organising Charmaine and her dof husband Bruce.
The stage setting is simple and includes a hanging framework which represents a television screen when Charmaine and Bruce present an online lecture on how to present a webinar. This is way beyond Bruce’s understanding but Charmaine gallops ahead with instructions as to the importance of background checks, such as making sure nobody’s behind you coming out of the bathroom naked! Or no improvisation or drinking on the job!
Accompanied by his guitar, Bruce gets his chance to share his world with his highly amusing Man’s Song which includes the line: “I’m the king of the castle … until you get home!”
Bobbert then effects a change into a wild-haired screeching Tina Turner with Private Dancer which is then followed by a wine-tasting presentation by McIlroy with his assistant doing more tasting than is advisable.
Numbers include 500 Miles, New York New York and One Way or Another. During the show, they both have their chance at high-kicking the cymbal that’s placed on stage for this very purpose!
However, no comedy production featuring McIlroy would be complete without the character the audience has been eagerly awaiting – the one and only VJ. This time he is full of anger, claiming that Charlene Wittstock was once mad for him before ditching him to marry Prince Albert, the reigning prince of Monaco.
There are a few numbers where the audience is asked to get on their feet – such as in Time Warp and Superman. No further encouragement is required. All members – whatever their age – were on their feet wanting to be part of the process. It was great to be part of that infectious enjoyment and watching the joy at their involvement. If the aim of the show is to lift people’s spirits from the frustration and depression of Covid lockdowns, it certainly works!
There’s no argument here – McIlroy and Bobbert give their enthusiastic audiences exactly what they want. As their publicity rightly states, it’s a “frantic musical comedic tour de force” Their combined energies are so strong, I’m sure that – if such a thing could be possible and these energies could be channeled towards Eskom – there’d be a whole lot of difference to the loadshedding schedules!
Hysterix runs from December 11 to 24 at Tina’s Hotel in 14 Beryldene Road in Kloof, and from December 27 to 31 at the Northlands Bowling Club in Durban North. Tickets R180 and booking is essential via email through Roland Stansell at: roland@stansell.co.za
Tina’s Hotel
December 15, 17, 18 and 19 at 19h30
December 16 and 20 at 14h00
December 22 to 24 – all shows at 19h30
To assist in keeping Tina’s hotel afloat, it has been agreed that an optional basic meal of five choices will be offered at a cost of R100 each. Total ticket price for Tina’s – including food - R280. The kitchen is open if you wish to arrive and order off the menu. Tickets show only R180. Minimum table size 4.
(If not including food option, bookings on 073 679 7957) Tickets are EFT only.
Northlands Bowling Club
December 27 to 31, 2020
NB: Bring your own picnics.
There is a bar available at both venues and there is safe parking.
Rhumbelow Theatre is totally committed to observing Covid 19 rules and each venue is sanitised and fogged before and after each performance. Masks must be worn at all times outside the theatre venue itself. - Caroline Smart
ALL SEATING WILL BE AT SEPARATE TABLES AND WE WILL OBVIOUSLY BE SEATING CO-HABITING COUPLES AND/OR FAMILY MEMBERS.
50% MAX CAPACITY PER SHOW
ALL TICKETS MUST BE PRE-BOOKED
NO WALK-INS ALLOWED
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