The Annual Great Lifeboat Debate Hosted by Rivonia Toastmasters Club
The Annual Great Lifeboat Debate was Greater than ever, with 110 wild screaming fans attending. This year the excitement, competitiveness and most importantly, the FUN filled the air until the end. The 16 characters vied to outdo one another with some spectacular costumes. Sadly there was to be only one winner. This year it was ‘Tokkie’ The Tow Truck Driver, A.K.A. Chris Irvin (RTMC) who, along with The Reverend Jimmy James A.K.A. Willem Gous (RTMC) made it a 1 & 2 for Rivonia. It was an exceptionally tough fight, with Osama Bin Laden A.K.A. Tanya Bakker (Centurion Club) taking the only remaining set on the Lifeboat.
The evening was a blast, noticeably performances met expectations of all who came to witness the inner characters of our talented contestants. Marilyn Monroe A.K.A. Nina Pieters (MSTMC) was there to share the love, the Mad Hatter’s (A.K.A. Machiel Engelbrecht, Byte Your Tongue TMC) weird sense of entertainment. He was probably the best dressed character – maybe we should have a prize in future? Osama Bin Laden’s comical efforts for him (“her”) to be considered on a boat (what were you thinking), to the Reverends pleas to lead his flock, to the “late” Michael Jackson A.K.A Khaya Sithole (MSTMC), to a freakish bequest from Ghost A.K.A. Estie Schirger (Centurion Club), and so on….
Allejandro A.K.A Rikki Barnes (MSTMC) is a ‘Chilean miner’ who seemed to be confused between interest’s in saving South Africa’s mining from, let’s say the powers that be, and many, many, many sexual innuendos. The Good Reverend told me he felt dirty after just listening to Allejandro!
Agnes Shabalala A.K.A. Iza Goldwasser (MSTMC) was one good domestic maid, who looked after the household’s interest in more ways than one – you know what I mean ?
Joan of Horn A.K.A. Corlia Pretorius (Centurion Club) – was a clever conservationist who only had the poor rhinos at heart. It was a pity that some took you the wrong way, or did I read you wrong?
My concerns were related to Tokkie’s request to have the Lifeboat to himself, Marilyn and the “Horny” girl – needless to say Tokkie’s final speech was the deal breaker, taking the house down with an explosion of wit. I think Bin Laden’s wit was up there too – even the threats “I’ll kill YOU!” made it all too real. Bless you Reverend and the souls who were tossed into the ocean.
The Ship’s Captain (Philippa Whitfeld, RTMC) kept all in order and threw those less worthy overboard. The characters were whittled down to six – namely Tokkie – The Tow Truck Driver, The Reverend Jimmy James, Marilyn Monroe, Joan of Horn, Allejandro, Osama Bin Laden. Then things got ugly, and even funnier as each had a go at the rest. There had to be a winner, even amongst this strange assortment of characters.
Tokkie’s ‘seed was spared’ as he was awarded 1st choice of the remaining seats on the Lifeboat, along with the loud spoken Reverend Jimmy James and Osama Bin Laden. Thanks to the organizers, clubs that attended and most importantly the contestants who made it what it was. Pretoria clubs (Both Centurion clubs & Scientia) arrived en masse, with 35 members, friends and assorted hangers-on, mostly dressed in costume in support of their participating characters.
Anyone wanting to know more about The Annual Great Lifeboat Debate, Hosted by Rivonia Toastmasters Club, please contact Robin Prowse – ‘Lifeboat’ Convener 2010 (contact details on Rivonia Webpage www.rivoniatoastmasters.co.za ).
The whole ‘nasty’ event, The Annual Great Lifeboat Debate 2010, Hosted by Rivonia Toastmasters Club, was professionally recorded by Johann Durand of Simply Video, and is available on DVD @ R80.00. Contact Johann Johann.DuRand@bcx.co.za
Copies of the hilariously funny ‘Lifeboat’ 2009are also still available from Simply Video.
