Helen Herimbi
As comedians and as a company, Goliath and Goliath have established themselves as a funny force to be reckoned with. Now, they are ready to open The Goliath Comedy Club come month-end.
And to celebrate, they will also be launching the inaugural The Goliath Comedy Experience – a festival that will run from April 29 to May 1. The collective comprises comedians, Jason and Nicholas Goliath (cousins) and Donovan Goliath as well as PR mastermind and Jason’s sister, Kate Goliath.
I met up with Jason and Kate at the yet-to-be-opened comedy club, which is behind their chic Roast Café. It’s an upmarket space – they are on the High Street at Melrose Arch after all. A door separates the club from the café, which will be opened so the café can act as overflow seating for busy club nights.
There is a floor-to-ceiling window that changes colour, a few portraits that light up are strung on a wall and upstairs, there is a whiskey and cigar lounge. There is even a booth that will be specially reserved for comedians.
“The café came as a result of a) trying to make a comedy club feasible at Melrose Arch – which is a very big challenge – and b) being in line with our lease agreement having seven-day-a- week daytime trade,” Jason tells me as soon as we’ve sat down.
In addition to comedy from Thursday to Sunday evenings, the club will be the home for Roast Music Sundays where both sections will be open for a chilled time with “a house band that is able to do everything from jazz to the latest pop songs”, cocktails and gourmet meals.
“We’re trying to target an over-30 crowd,” Kate says. “You just want somewhere where you don’t have to hold your ear to speak.” Jason interjects: “That’s my line!” then Kate laughs: “I know! I read that you said it somewhere and stole it.”
The club’s ultimate objective is to radiate what Jason calls a “golden thread of happiness. Whether you’re having a slice of cake, a cup of coffee or a meal, or enjoying comedy or listening to music, it’s all about making you happy.”
The Goliath Comedy Club is billed as Africa’s first premium comedy club and only the third to be opened on the continent.
“Although we love Parker’s Comedy and Jive and The Cape Town Comedy club, because they were pioneers, they often suffer the disadvantages of being pioneers in that there are lessons you learn as you go,” says Jason. “One of the lessons we have learnt is that you shouldn’t have a comedian deciding your menu, having the final say on your menu and recipes,” he continues.
The winners of the Comics’ Choice Awards’ inaugural Best Friend of Comedy category have partnered with Walnut Grove to ensure the food is amazing while they concentrate on what they are best at: comedy. They have also partnered with Tony Raciti of The Venue.
As such, The Goliath Comedy Experience festival – which is powered by Comedy Central – will host themed shows at four venues.
In addition to the club, festival shows will be held at the Protea Fire and Ice, The Venue and the African Pride conference room.
You can expect headliners featuring Marc Lottering, David Kau, Kagiso Lediga, Tats Nkonzo and others as well as vernac comedy at the English for Who show. The Old’s Cool show will feature Tumi Morake, Joe Parker, Mel Miller and Tracy Klass and the Improv featuring Mojak Lehoko, Chris Forrest and more. About 50 comedians will be on stage that weekend.
On May 1, #Goliathx2016, sponsored by BET Africa, will be a music and musical comedy day featuring the likes of the Bombshelter Beast, Reason as well as Tol A$$ Mo, Deepfried Man and Tracey-Lee Oliver.
The Goliath Comedy Club opens April 29. The Goliath Comedy Experience, various venues at Melrose Arch from April 29 to May 1. Book at www.ticketpros.co.za.