Committie: one of your favourite things

Published Feb 17, 2015

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THE SOUND OF LAUGHTER

DIRECTOR: Chris Weare

CAST: Alan Committie

VENUE: Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre

UNTIL: March 15

RATING: ****

One-man comedy shows are tricky to assess even under the best of circumstances. Most notably those where said spectacle effectively amounts to a stand-up routine, rather than a performance with any semblance of an actual storyline.

You may generally enjoy the comedian on the whole, but perhaps his latest offering isn’t necessarily to your taste. Or you may have the misfortune of finding yourself seated with an audience whose sense of humour is about as active as a nun’s sex life, which in turn puts a damper on your sense of enjoyment. (Er, of the show that is, not sex per se.)

Or perhaps you just so happen to see the production on a day when you crashed your car into your gate, were pulled over by the cops on your way to work and arrived three hours late (after paying the pigs a R2 000 bribe) to a boss who’s made it her mission to goad you into wanting to quit your job at least once a day, so as such, you’re not much in the mood for giggling.

But, I digress. Or – as Alan would say – “RECESS!”

Be that as it may, this funny man is – drum roll, please – Committed to making you laugh. From political satire, mile-high escapades (now, now, grab your mind out the gutter) and even the Oscar Pistorius trial (yup, he goes there), to Noddy (as in Big Ears), school students’ literacy rate and our obsession with social media and the selfies phenomenon, Committie boldly stomps where others fear to tread.

One understands his need to work from some sort of manuscript to ignite the initial comedic fires, with his signature Johan van Wyk caricature in particular drumming up chortles aplenty. But it’s when he goes off script that Committie is at his strongest.

His incredibly sharp wit, coupled with his convivial nature, conjure comparisons of a host entertaining visitors in the cosy comfort of his own private home. And ultimately, isn’t that the mark of a truly talented comedian: the crazy character who’s able to elicit endless mirth, while equally “earthy” enough to ensure his guests are always at ease?

To this end, Committie guarantees that, if not the hills, then certainly your home will be alive with the sound of musical laughter for days to come!

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