Cape Town - Titling your show as a play on words of one of the most romantic movies of all time takes guts - something Alan Committie has in spades.
It automatically set's up an expectation going in and puts pressure on the comedian to deliver a funny show. Thankfully, "Love Factually" is not only funny, but highlights how Committie has maintained longevity in the industry.
This assertion is not only based on the numerous laughs Committie managed to get out of the crowd at the Baxter theatre, but also his on the fly improvisation and crowd interaction that helped cement this as a must-see show.
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Many know that if a crowd is not along with your show, then it can be both painful for the comedian to experience, and painful for the audience to watch. This is called "dying" for obvious reasons.
Committie managed to take a luke-warm crowd, and after some skilled work, pulled out all the laughs from the crowd and greatly eased the tension in the room.
With a comedic, honest and sometimes even touching look at couples, Committie explores the absurd differences between men and women, the quirks and foibles of marriage and dating, and will even try to finally provide the right answers to those loaded questions, “Do you think I look fat?”, “Are you listening to me?” and “Would you prefer to go to the cricket or spend the day with me and my mom!?!”
In Love Factually the every-man hero also investigates Tinder and text breakups, online attractions, distractions and de-tractions, gives tips on how to survive as a “post-modern, metro-quasi-dexi-semi-multi-mano-sexual”, explores being single verse being able to mingle and, most importantly, looks at fitting duvet covers and how that could keep a relationship together.
Committie's self-awareness to what he is doing walks a fine line, and it could easily pull an audience member out of the show, but the comedian keeps the show steady, making even unexpected tangents fit in seamlessly. Love Factually is a must see while it's on at the Baxter Flipside.
"Love Factually" is not only funny, but is a success due to Committie's on the fly improvisation and crowd interaction that helped cement this as a must-see show. Picture: Dale Kopping
Love Factually runs until 16 June at 8pm with matinee performances on 2, 9 and 16 June, at 5pm. Tickets range between R120 and R160 with an age restriction of 12 years.
Booking is through Webtickets, online at www.webtickets.co.za, or at selected Pick n Pay stores. For discounted school or group block bookings, fundraisers or charities contact Sharon Ward on 021 680 3962 or email [email protected] or Carmen Kearns on 021 680 3993 or email her at [email protected]
@thelionmutters