Catch top comics at lounge of laughter

Published Jul 28, 2015

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YOU know you’re going to be left in stitches with comedians like Chris Forrest, Sfiso Nene, Neil Green, Felix Hlophe and Dusty Rich on the bill. And now, you can enjoy them in comfort as you unwind at the Comedy Lounge at Greyville Convention Centre. A press release states that the Comedy Lounge is designed not only to showcase the best of local and national comedians, but also to create a unique experience of what Durban has to offer.

Tonight caught up with Hlophe who s enthusiastic about this gig: “It’s a fresh, new way of doing things. wanted to be part of this groundbreaking format and also get the pioneer effect. I love club comedy because anything goes. It’s a bare knuckles, no-holds, barred type of stand-up, where we get to try out new things and it’s quite interactive with the audience, unlike in a comedy show. Comedy club is where we try out new material.”

Hlophe tells me his set will touch on race relations, politics and romance. He also reveals his defining factor as a comic: “My material comes from my everyday life. The media are also a good source of material and parliament TV. I’m from uMlazi so it’s about the township flavour. I have a general appeal to marginalised youth from the townships all around South Africa. My significant factor is that I’m very naughty and like living on the edge.”

He says he’s always been funny because he comes from a family of jokers: “But it started with a friend, Brian Mtshali, who kept pestering me about doing stand-up. Later it was another friend, Zandile Tembe, who set me up with Monwabisi Grootboom who then unleashed me, so to speak. This was in 2005. But with stand-up, you are only as good as your last show. It’s tough constantly having to supersede your last performance and living up to your followers’ expectations. Sometimes it can put one under a lot of pressure,” he shares.

On the line-up of comics, Hlophe says: “I have performed alongside them in a number of gigs. They are all very good and this promises to be a great evening of laughter. Audiences can expect fireworks. Leave the kids at home.”

 

l Don’t miss The Comedy Lounge at Greyville Convention Centre on Saturday. R180 to R250 at Computicket and Shoprite/Checkers stores.

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