DURBAN - Not yet a midlife crisis, but “a kind of weird stocktake of your life’s path”.
That’s how comedy veteran, Riaad Moosa, describes taking on the big four-Oh in his show Life Begins, which will see him on stage at The Playhouse Theatre in Durban from November 10 to 12.
And at 40, the former doctor turned funny man, Moosa is now a husband with three children, with number four on the way, and describes having children as a “short cut to finding meaning in life”.
In an interview with The Independent on Saturday, he was candid about how his children had taught him the importance of being in the present.
“My family is the most important thing in the world to me and the rewards of being a father far surpass anything else. I see how engaged my kids can be with each moment with that sense of enjoyment. They are a blessing but crazy,” he says.
But when it comes to current affairs, from Brexit, Donald Trump and State Capture, Moosa says he’s floundering – much like everyone else.
“I thought I would have some wisdom by now, but I’ve realised I don’t know anything. The only nugget of wisdom I’ve reached is that knowing nothing almost forces me to be less stressed out and start to understand that I’m not as in control as I thought I was. It has certainly helped me to live more patiently and enjoy each moment,” he says.
Described as existential and philosophical but with a healthy dose of his own brand of humour thrown into the mix, Moosa says the show is more about assessing meaning than going through his past in detail.
“The whole show is a snapshot of my life. While most people would talk to a therapist, I stand up in front of an audience,” he says.
And looking towards the next 40, Moosa says with the rapid advancement in technology, 80 may well become the new 40.
“We may be in a state of chaos now but they say ‘out of chaos comes order’. I think we will be stronger and more united.”
And that can be done with some humour along the way.
“If you look at something in a humorous way, it reduces stress. Laughter really is the best medicine,” he says.
And he should know, having worked as a doctor for two years before entering the comedy industry. Moosa can confidently tell his audience that laughter lowers blood pressure, improves the immune response in the body, as well as improving respiration.
“I contemplate how, as a medical doctor, did all this happen to me and everything really shoots off from there. I look back at my journey, coming from a conservative Muslim background where both parents are doctors, to being a stand-up comedian. I love comedy. Sometimes shows are difficult and you have to put yourself out there. But when I tell a joke for the first time and the audience laughs, I love it.
“I think Life Begins for me is a statement of intent. I’m excited about extracting as much as I can from life. I have still got lots more to do,” he says.
This is the first time Moosa is bringing his show to KwaZulu-Natal, including Newcastle and Empangeni. I can’t wait to come to Durban, there’s a lot of excitement about the show on social media and I’m looking forward to being on stage at the Playhouse Theatre,” he says.
The shows are:
November 4, 8pm at Blackrock Casino, Newcastle.
November 10, 11, 12 at 8pm at The Playhouse Theatre, Durban.
November 18 at 8pm at Umfolozi Hotel Casino & Convention Resort, Empangeni.
Tickets are from R150. Book at Computicket.