The comedy column - December 01, 2011

Published Dec 1, 2011

Share

Just recently, Deep Fried Man and a few other people performed their stand-up comedy in a once-off show called Jew Must Be Joking.

Now there is also the Proudly Coloured Comedy Show with the likes of Shimmy Isaacs and Richelieu Beaunoir cracking people up. The 99% Xhosa and 99% Zulu comedy shows have also built up quite a following over the years.

But before them was Blacks Only.

It’s interesting to see how the rainbow nation has given birth to pride in people’s diversity. It’s cool to see comedians deliver their sets in their chosen vernacular without feeling people will not “get” them.

THE COMEDIAN

Tonight: What’s the story behind the title?

David Kau: Nothing really, it’s December so it’s Christmas time. Usually, Christmas time is painted as very white but it doesn’t have to be. A black Christmas isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s also our last big comedy show for the year. But it won’t just be about Christmas jokes. Besides, the shopping malls have already started putting the Christmas decorations up so why not?

Tonight: Are you big on Christmas gifts?

David: No, but I do throw a Christmas party in Kroonstad every year so that is kind of like a Christmas gift. The party will feature comedy and music.

Tonight: So, you’ve never received a Christmas gift?

David: No, growing up all you would do on Christmas is just to wake up, go to church, come back home and eat lunch.

Tonight: Okay, so tell me about this Blacks Only line-up. This time, the comedians are rather young?

David: Yes, those guys get standing ovations every five minutes. They are the future of comedy. I just love seeing new talent come up. At the end of the day, comedy has nothing to do with how famous you are. Even at all our Blacks Only shows, we always see shows end with standing ovations for guys some people had never even heard of before.

Tonight: Or guys who had never played Blacks Only, such as Alan Committie…

David: Yeah, so now we have Thapelo Tips Seemise, Skhumba Hlope, Donovan Goliath, Sifiso Nene, Gavin Kelly – who is our token white guy – Tats Nkonzo, Trevor Gumbi and I will be the host.

Tonight: Some of the guys in this line-up also entered your reality show, So You Think You’re Funny. How does it make you feel to see them now?

David: These guys came to the show and entered having never done stand-up comedy before. Some people thought they’d come and just tell a joke. No. Some guys in the line-up even came up to the top eight. Thapelo for instance. He entered the same year Tats did and people love him. Thapelo is like a walking standing ovation.

Tonight: Blacks Only went from years at Emperors Palace and moved to the Sandton Convention Centre and is now going to be at the Lyric Theatre. Why?

David: We had a contract with Emperors Palace and that ended, but we are moving venues because it just means that Blacks Only is a show that can move around. A venue is a venue. And we’re shooting a live DVD over the two days so please bring your real wives this time.

lBlacks Only: We’re Dreaming Of A Black Christmas is at the Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City on Friday and Saturday. Tickets are priced from R150 and are available at Computicket.

GIG GUIDE

lSee British-Irish comedian, Jimmy Carr in Laughter Therapy at the Sandton Convention Centre on December 10. Tickets are from R263 at Computicket.

lTony King, Jacques Barratt (AUS), Don Packett and Siya B are at Parker’s Comedy and Jive inside Montecasino, Fourways, on December 2 and 3. Tickets R120 at Computicket and through the box office at 011 511 0081/2.

lThe annual 46664 It’s No Joke comedy night features Riaad Moosa, Nik Rabinowitz, David Kau, Tumi Morake, Chris Forrest, Deep Fried Man, Joey Rasdien, Conrad Koch and MC, Darren Simpson. At Emperors Palace on December 1. Tickets from R186 at Computicket.

lProudly Coloured Comedy featuring Neil Green, Richelieu Beaunoir, Charles Ash and Dillan Oliphant, Shimmy Isaacs, Carl Weber and Magic Manat The Victory Theatre from December 1-3. Tickets are priced from R95 and can be booked at 011 728 9603.

lKarou Charou presents Karma Sutra – Sex and the Charou is at Ghandi Hall in Lenasia on December 10. Tickets are priced from R80.

lActor turned comedian, Siyabonga Radebe aka Siya Botherwise presents his first one-man show, Smiles and Cries, at the Market Theatre in Newtown until December 4. Tickets from R80 at Computicket or through the box office at 011 832 1641.

lSee Casper de Vries in Vark in Hel at Emperors Palace, Brakpan, until December 18. Tickets from R160 at Computicket.

lParker’s Urban Comedy with Kedibone Mulaudzi and guests are at Parker’s Comedy and Jive inside Montecasino, Fourways, on December 6. Tickets are R50 at Computicket or the box office.

lCatch Joe Parker, Improv Express, Open Mic, Jacques Barratt (AUS) at Parker’s Comedy and Jive inside Montecasino, Fourways, on December 7. Tickets from R70 at Computicket or the box office.

lJoe Parker, Jacques Barratt (AUS), Richelieu Beaunoir, Martin Jonas are at Parker’s Comedy and Jive inside Montecasino, Fourways, on December 8 and 9. Tickets from R120 at Computicket or the box office.

lAfrica Clockwise, Mark Sampson’s one-man comedy show, is on at the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square in Sandton until November 19. Book at 011 883 8606.

lDarren Maule, Jacques Barratt (AUS), Richelieu Beaunoir, Martin Jonas are at Parker’s Comedy and Jive inside Montecasino, Fourways, on December 10. Tickets from R120 at Computicket or the box office.

lDave Levinsohn, Improv Express, Mark Banks are at Parker’s Comedy and Jive inside Montecasino, Fourways, on December 14. Tickets from R70 at Computicket or the box office.

lTo appear in this column, e-mail details of the gig to [email protected] with “comedy column” in the subject line.

Related Topics: