Comedy is the new rock 'n roll.
Comedy is the new rock 'n roll.
Kurt Schoonraad, of Jou Ma Se Comedy Club, believes this – and considering what sold out at this year's Festival, it may be true.
Comics can satire and stereotype till they are blue in the face – and the fact that South Africa is so culturally diverse and multilingual is what makes it so funny. As an audience we pick up on those inside jokes in a flash. South African comedy has is its own unique blend of styles and this is evident in this year’s Fringe programme.
The likes of Rob Van Vuuren, Siv Ngesi and Riaad Moosa are drawing in the crowds.
They have accumulated a large following over the years and these headliners are all part of the Jou Ma Se Comedy Club. Owner Schoonraad says they have enjoyed sold-out performances night after night.
Although the club is parading their finest comedians at shows this year, they are also exhibiting an array of newcomers, such as Carl Weber and the much-talked about 16-year-old, Chris Houley.
This is the Comedy Club’s first year at the National Arts Festival says Schoonraad.
Schoonraad believes the support is due to comedy being “current, real and easy to consume”.
It's a no-brainer: “Comedy is the drive-thru of entertainment,” he says.
Tony Lankester of the National Arts Festival would not comment on whether comedy had been a trend this year, but said the ticket sales and wrap-up would reflect what genre had done particularly well.
Hosted by founder and SA comedy heavyweight, the zany Kurt Schoonraad, the club’s two remaining late-night comedy gigs both start at 11pm on Friday and Saturday.
