Professionally Black, Gola’s back!

Published Oct 16, 2012

Share

AWARD-winning comedian Loyiso Gola takes his new one-man show, Professional Black, on the road this week.

Starting off in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, the show will then stop off in Durban before rolling out across the country.

Gola, who is popular for his apolitical, no-holds barred style of comedy – has a huge following, which is evident from his string of sold-out shows and a viewership of more than a million for his e.tv television show, Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola.

But he also has his share of haters. Just follow Gola on Twitter and you’ll see how much he is celebrated and criticised – and he is not one to shy away from the latter. He often re-tweets to engage with his critics.

Professional Black promises to be yet another “unapologetic” offering from the Gola.

“I’m always trying to say what I have to say,” said Gola, explaining his style of comedy.

“I never really think much about what people will say about my material, what I think about is, is it going to make them laugh?

“I don’t go out there with the intention of trying to offend people, but if they are offended I don’t care,” he said mischievously.

Explaining the concept behind his new show, Gola said it’s about being black: “Because as black people we find ourselves apologising for being black all the time.

“I understand that some people might be offended by it, but why be offended? The show is unapologetically black.”

Not so long ago Gola wrapped up his tour of his show Life & Times, but he said the audience can expect something different from Professional Black.

“Life & Times was very observational. In this show I talk about myself; my family, growing up. It is more personal than ever. I will give people the opportunity to get to know me more,” he said.

Gola is one of a few “big” South African comedians who manages to easily sell out shows wherever he tours – even in Durban, where many don’t bring their shows.

“I always enjoy an overwhelming amount of support when I come to Durban. The audiences, the media, the radio stations, the municipality… I always get a lot of love there and that’s why I go there.”

With an array of accomplishments under his belt including performances on a host of international platforms – like the Montreal and Edinburgh Comedy festivals this year, among many others – Gola says this kind of exposure has taught him an important principal about being an South African comedian.

“If you are funny in South Africa, you can be funny anywhere in the world.

“I have shared stages with acts from all over the world,” he said.

“A lot of the stuff we do in South Africa we sometimes think is uniquely South African, but if they laugh here in South Africa, they will laugh anywhere in the world.”

Having established a reputation for hosting South Africa’s only satirical news programme and being one of our country’s most provocative comedians, Gola said he never sets out to intentionally seek such accolades.

“It’s nothing I have in mind when I do the shows (on television and stage),” he said.

“I just want to say things I want to say and produce a good show. Whatever title people give me, all I want to do is give them the best show I can give. All I want to do is make people laugh.”

With a title that has set out to “spark interest, ignite curiosity and provoke debate”, Professional Black opens at the Opera House in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

Catch the comedy show at Suncoast Casino in Durban on Friday and Saturday, October 26 and 27, at the Lyric Theatre, Montecasino, in Joburg on Friday and Saturday, November 2 and 3, and at Pretoria’s Brooklyn Theatre on Thursday, November 8 and Saturday, November 10.

• Tickets are available at Computicket, Shoprite and Checkers stores. For city-specific show details and tickets prices see computicket.com

Related Topics: