Comedians Tumi Morake and Ndumiso Lindi will be teaming up on a new stand-up special dubbed Married But Not To Each Other at the Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City, next Saturday. The Sunday Independent caught up with the pair to speak about love, marriage and laughter.
Ndumiso Lindi
What role does comedy play in social commentary?
Under a layer of a good joke or funny story there’s truth and honesty that comes with it. As much as the end result is laughter, you want people to walk out thinking that was real and educational in some cases.
What inspired Married But Not To Each Other ?
We’ve done a lot of big shows and festivals over the years where we found ourselves in the same line-up. We were booked to perform in London and coming back we were connecting via Istanbul. After realising that our flight to Johannesburg had left us, while trying to fix that one of the customs officials asked if we were married and I quickly answered yes. Then I realised a second later the mistake I’d made and we both said “but not to each other”. I guess a light bulb went on at that moment because we thought that’s a nice title for a show. The content of the show comes from our lives as married people, I guess.
As clichéd as this question is, what can your fans expect from you that they have never seen before?
Well, the structure of the show is different from a normal stand-up comedy. There are times when we’re both on stage together and engaging with the audience. We also have a surprise opening act. We’re going to have a lot of fun with this show.
Prior to to being married, what were your expectations of the union and what were the realities you learnt?
I guess before, as a couple, you’re clouded by the love you have for each other and when you get married you realise there’s more to it than just love. You find out that small things lead to big problems, such as socks on the floor Next thing you’re not talking to each other.
Favourite part of being married?
Building and succeeding together. My wife’s cooking and knowing that there’s always a shoulder to cry on after a long day.
What do you hope people take away from the show?
This show will mostly deal with relationships. Whether you’re dating, married or single, you will find a piece of yourself in it. Sometimes when a couple are dealing with an issue they think they’re the only people going through it. So we hope people walk out realising that they’re not alone.
Describe love in three words?
Honey, I’m home.
Tumi Morake
What role does comedy play in social commentary?
Stand-up comedy is subversive by nature, so that is its role in social commentary. It is a safe space for the hardest conversations. It’s a self-reflective mirror for social commentary.
What can your fans expect from you that they have never seen before?
A show purely based on relationships, and interaction with our audience.
The audience gets something usually forbidden in stand-up comedy - they get to take part.
Prior to to being married, what were your expectations of the union and what were the realities that you learnt?
I figured we could wing it and the reality check was that marriage is work but not a chore. It needs you to be present.
Is marriage overrated?
Absolutely. There are people who stay in miserable marriages because they only married out of pressure or to save face.
What has comedy done for you personally and in your career?
Comedy and laughter are great coping mechanisms for me. My primary work has been as a comedian. Career-wise, it keeps me wanting to do more.
Describe love in three words?
Soothing, infinite, powerful.
How have you prepared your material for this show?
Ndumiso and I decided to write to the theme because the title of the show already alludes to conversations about marriage and relationships.
@AmandaMaliba