THIS IS CAPTAIN LOTTERING SPEAKING. Written by, and starring Marc Lottering. At Theatre on the Bay, Camps Bay, Mondays to Fridays at 8.15pm, and Saturdays at 5.30pm and 8.15pm until November 29. STEYNDU TOIT reviews.
THE process of travelling can be an exciting one, especially if you are boarding a plane for a holiday abroad, or on your way to a job interview upcountry. Then the queues at check-in don’t seem to be that long, having to remove your shoes, or answer a million questions at customs not as irritating, and being wedged in-between two ogres on board not as unbearable.
The trip back, however, can quickly turn into a Kafkaesque nightmare where all natural and supernatural forces seem to conspire in an effort to severely test your sense of humour.
Starring South Africa’s favourite silver-streaked comedian, Captain Lottering draws on similar, as well as even more outrageous, imaginative travel experiences.
Being a passenger on board this comedic flight with Lottering in command of the cockpit, his captain’s cap impudently perched on top of his thick Afro, is an experience best keeping your seatbelt on for at all times. The result is a hilariously turbulent ride that will constantly have you folded over (in laughter) in the brace position.
First performed earlier this year in London’s Soho Theatre, followed by a tour to Australia, this one-man show now makes its return after crash landing at Pieter Toerien's Theatre at Montecasino in October.
Following it’s current run at Theatre on the Bay, it will also be transferred to the Baxter Theatre for the festive season (December 2 – January 17). But be warned, as the comedian’s ‘bek’ (mouth) is just as ‘vuil’ (dirty) as ever, this is not recommended as a wholesome night full of chuckles for the whole family.
Jiving onto a stage made up of air travel-related paraphernalia, the first thing one notices is Lottering’s garish silver suit. Almost instantly having the crowd in stitches with a tale of having recently taken a trip to Mauritius, hearing how he faked a Cape Flats French accent throughout just serves as demonstration once again why he has remained one of the country’s top comedians for the past 16 years.
A highly intelligent and perceptive performer, this funnyman appears just as comfortable whether doing straightforward stand-up, taking his seat behind a piano, or rolling out any of his beloved characters.
After being absent for the past few years, what a joy it is running into these “people” again at and around Lottering's fictional airport. Changing costumes behind a transparent screen marked “Scan-o-Tron”, with each familiar personality he slips into we are reminded again of how much we’ve missed them.
Leaning out a minibus window scouting for potential passengers, taxi gaartjie (taxi spotter) Smiley is up first. Paying gap-toothed compliments to female commuters and swindling German travelers out of Euros, this journey to the airport is true to form – a proper joyride.
Athlone’s Belgravia Road most famous resident is up next. Sitting at departures with padkos (provisions) in the form of a freshly baked cake and waiting on her friend Rose Kannemeyer, it’s great to see aunty Merle Abrahams still at it after all these years.
Following a recent scandal, in which he was caught laying his hands on a female member of his congregation in a non-Biblical manner, pastor Brandon is also about to board the next plane and to go hide elsewhere until the dust gathered from his Daily Voice exposé has settled.
The rest of the gang also pop up over the course of the show, including failed Idols contestant Galatia Geduldt, on her way to the recording studio in Joburg after seducing an album producer; Colleen the cashier, now working at Duty Free and facing yet another disciplinary hearing for verbally abusing a customer; as well as Cape Town “creative” Travis, flirting with an air hostess en route to go pitch to an advertising agency abroad.
In an industry saturated by observational comic types lethargically strolling up and down the stage and beginning each new monotone sentence with “Did you ever notice...?”, or “What's the deal with...?”, Lottering continues to defend his position at the top, thanks to his distinct originality.
Sassy, colourful and as Cape Town as it gets, you’d need to be ‘lekker djas’ (crazy) to miss This is Captain Lottering Speaking.
l Tickets: R95 – R165, 0861 915 8000, www.computicket.com