The inimitable Aaron McIlroy owns a stage. His megawatt energy crackles. His razor-sharp wit and impeccable timing are masterfully honed.
A household name in theatre, McIlroy has appeared in television advertisements, films and more than 2 000 live shows. But the apparent ease of his performances – the perfect pause, the seamless delivery – is built on tireless work behind the scenes.
“I’ve survived in the arts,” he says. “I’ve had a family and a life doing what I do. It’s my livelihood, and it’s a privilege. But nothing just happens on stage. People may appreciate live theatre, but they don’t always appreciate what it takes to make it happen. The art is to make it seem like you’ve done it for the first time.”
Aaron is side-splittingly funny. But the laughter is the result of a craft grounded in dedication and discipline.
“Artists are 80% artisan,” he says. “You deal with costumes, lights and everything in between. Comedy is my focus, and nothing is more serious than comedy done well. It requires effort and sacrifice.”
It’s one of the reasons he treasures the Hilton Arts Festival.
“The working conditions are good. Artists are respected. It’s a celebration of the arts, and you ignore the artist at your peril. There’s often a prophetic side to art – it reflects the world as it is or hints at what’s coming.
“Life imitates art. You laugh, you cry, you engage. It makes you think. In an era of facile and fake social media, theatre is an antidote.
“It’s live, it’s authentic, it happens in real time – and that’s indisputable.”
