MARY WISNIEWSKI
Assistant A&E Ediotor
Some students will find themselves spending Valentine’s Day with a box of chocolate, a bouquet of roses and a romantic night out on the town. However, some Pepperdine students and Malibu residents may find themselves sitting in the dark instead. That is, sitting in the dark along with a packed audience at Smothers Theatre.
John Cleese, British actor and comedian, will be performing a comedy show titled “Seven Ways to Skin an Ocelet” on Tuesday, Feb. 14.
Cleese enthusiast and Pepperdine student Ashley Campbell is pleased to spend the holiday with the British comedian.
“Cleese will be my Valentine,” she said.
Pepperdine marketing and publicity manager Brad White said the Santa Barbara resident has been touring his comedy show while constantly evolving it along the way. White said the material in the show is rather mysterious, but lasts approximately two hours.
Managing Director for the Center of the Arts Marnie Mitze said the show is still somewhat a work in progress and has no idea what the show would be like when she booked it. What Mitze does know is that Cleese will be recreating some of his Python characters as well as addressing his life and career in the show. His daughter, Camilla, will also make an appearance.
Cleese refers to his routine as a one-man show.
Despite the mysterious quality of the comedy show, it has been sold out since November.
“It’s very sold out,” Campbell said. “I got my ticket in October, but the first time I went, they didn’t have any tickets. I had to keep on coming back until I finally got one.”
Pepperdine student Kyle Kalinkewicz said he got his tickets for the comedy show over the summer.
Smother’s theater advertised Cleese’s upcoming appearance on their Web site, as well as sending out a direct mailing of more than 1,000 pieces to attract students like Kalinkewicz and Campbell.
Cleese’s popularity may not need such advertising.
His fame goes back to his roles in the Monty Python series, but it extends to his appearances in “A Fish Called Wanda,” “Harry Potter,” “Will & Grace,” and “The World is Not Enough.” Cleese attended Cambridge University and went on to write for BBC after graduating; however, he soon discovered that he found acting and comedy to be more his knack than journalism.
“He’s a really funny guy,” Kalinkewicz said. “He commits to the character.”
Mitze attributes part of Cleese’s appeal to his humor and wackiness.
“Everyone loves to laugh and be entertained,” she said.
Additionally, Mitze said Cleese is one of those rare actors who can stay current despite his fame, which started in the 1970s.
Campbell said she is going to see Cleese live because he is a genius.
“He takes a simple situation and makes it hilarious,” she said. “It’s the first time I will see him perform live. I’m excited to see what he can do,” she said.
Cleese will also perform at UCLA and Cal State Long Beach.
02-09-2006
