DURBAN’s Dusty Rich is officially the next “big act” to come from the city as he scoops his own slot on Africa’s dedicated comedy channel, Comedy Central Africa.
Since re-basing himself in Joburg a few years ago Rich’s stand-up comedy career has snowballed into success and saw him invited to open two Trevor Noah tours (That’s Racist and It’s My Culture) and host the recent ensemble comedy tour, NationWILD.
His latest step up the comedic ladder will be Comedy Central presents Dusty Rich which will be shot soon and air on DStv.
“This is a massive move up in my career. I’m going to be on Comedy Central, my own Comedy Central Show… Comedy Central Presents Dusty Rich,” he said, before adding: “Comedy Central is still young in the country, but it is very important for a comedian to get this opportunity on the only dedicated comedy channel in the country.”
But if you can’t hang on until the show airs to see how Rich’s come along in comedy, you can catch him soon on The Kings and Queens of Comedy Tour which stops in Durban on February 13.
Asked about this show, Rich said it’s bound to be a top show that locals would not want to miss: “There are going to be 14 comedians on that stage so the type of comedy I want to bring out there is fast, wham, bam, thank you ma’am type of comedy. It has a great line-up with a lot of different comedians who will get anyone’s fancy up.”
With Rich originally from Durban, having worked his way to such success in stand-up comedy since relocating, and with him also still doing stopover shows in the city in the middle of his national schedule, we asked him what his thoughts are on the comedy scene in Durban.
“There’s a belief that Durban doesn’t support (comedy shows), but I don’t think that’s true. I think it depends on what you are bringing.
“The guys whom I started with from Durban are working their tails off to get any sort of footing here. And that was the situation I was in, but I got seen by a big (established) comedy act who wanted me to come do more comedy, so I suppose I was fortunate, in a way. The scene in Durban now, I would say, is small, but ferocious.”
Rich said local Durban acts like Jem Atkins, Carvin Goldstone and Neil Green proved that Durban’s legacy in producing outstanding comedy acts continues.
“These guys have absolutely exceptional comedic talent, but it’s a difficult scene to develop if there is no big investment. And it is certainly not for lack of talent,” he stressed.
“Some of the greatest South African comedians have come out of Durban. John Vlismas, Joe Parker, Cokey Falkow, Trevor Gumbi … so it is not for lack of talent. I think it is an investment issue. I’m a firm believer that if Durbanites knew of an established comedy club (similar to the Parker’s franchise or Jou Ma Se Comedy Club) they would come out and support that venue. I think it’s time for this in Durban,” he said.
• You can keep tabs on Rich’s Comedy Central Africa debut through @dustyrich; FaceBook or Instagram: Dusty Rich.
• Tickets for The Kings and Queens of Comedy at Durban’s ICC are available at Computicket.