She got our number
By Suzanne Ludekens, April 27, 2007

Sheilah Glover’s one-woman show Is Ennybody Home? was the ideal antidote to the seriousness that often overtakes expats negotiating a foreign culture and language while attempting to become the better people we all hope to be. And the packed house was left wanting more—more comedy, more cabaret and more seats, especially for those who were turned away from the sold-out show on April 21. 

Glover’s one-liners cut through the audience’s ego like a surgeon’s knife; deftly, precisely, and with perfect timing. Although the show gave the audience a chance to laugh at the foibles of friends, family and acquaintances, the deepest most resounding laughter came from the recognition of one’s own idiosyncrasies.

According to Glover, the Enneagram is largely an oral tradition, in which people learn about the nine personality types from panels, speaking about their experiences. “It actually is not simplistic—there is a lot of movement and complexity to the study of the Enneagram. Its main benefit is to provide wisdom and compassion in dealing with ourselves and others.”

Yet as Glenda Robinson remarked after the show, “You don’t need to know the Enneagram to delight in this show. Sheilah Glover’s hilarious depictions of those personality types you love to hate (most especially your own) had me chortling with laughter, wincing with recognition, and finally, nodding with insight.”

The show, interspersed with familiar tunes, brought the nine characters to life—the numbers two, three and four are image-oriented, emotionally based and looking for love. Five, six and seven are mental types, dealing with strategies around fear. And one, eight and nine are instinctually based and dealing with anger.

In a fast-paced performance, Glover moved effortlessly between characters with the assistance of minimal props. A jacket, a scarf, glasses and a wig were the few accessories that transformed her from one personality to another as she engaged the audience in the intimate setting at El Viejo-Topo’s indoor-outdoor café-cabaret. A professional singer, Glover’s seductive voice delivered astute and sometimes brutal comments with a silky softness. “People—why are you at this evening of second-rate entertainment when there are so many more pressing issues we need to attend to?” accused Glover as the hard-working perfectionist-reformer number one.

The one-liners were as memorable as they were numerous. “Listen, if I don’t show up, don’t take it personally… it just means I got a better offer!” she said as the escapist, light-hearted enthusiast, number seven. Then as the people-pleasing, approval-seeking number two, “Remember me—God’s one-woman band-aid sent out to heal the world?” Or as the fearful, security-seeking number seven, “I’ve already picked out the kind of shopping cart I’m going to use once I become homeless...” As the analytical, cerebral number five, “I’m developing my own theory, based on Gurdjieff’s primary octave and how it stretches from the Absolute to Nothing, and its significance relative to the ascending process within the Enneagram.”

At the end of the show, before a standing ovation, Glover confessed that it was her first venture into comic writing and performance. Yet comments from the public attested to her professionalism: “she was dynamic and easy to watch...,” “natural, and very engaging” and “her ability to move in and out of all those characters without missing a beat was impressive and playful.”

The show represents another hit performance for Isaac and Jorge of El Viejo-Topo who began to capture local audiences last year when they staged Daniel Packard’s comedy revue to full houses and extended the run due to public demand. Since that time Isaac has continued to look for comedy acts to bring to San Miguel audiences who are looking for sophisticated material and an alternative intimate venue. In between acts they plan to present more quality musical and film events. Just one tip: more comedy, more seats and more waiters!.