Nando's Comedy Festival

11 Sep 2012

I am actually very glad that I went on the last night, because if I had gone before I would have gone out and bought another ticket - and perhaps another one. At first the names didn't ring any bells and I will admit I thought it was an "open mike" night. But little did I know that I was about to see some of the funniest comedians to date. If I listed the names with no explanation they wouldn't mean much to most, so let me explain exactly who I had the privilege of seeing.

The first act and Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Brian Haner, who is better known as guitar guy - you might know him from the Jeff Dunham show. He not only does stand up, but he also sings and he gave us his best rendition of Cape Flats in the spring and the South African National Anthem on an electric guitar.

Up next was Lil Rel, who is also an American comedian and has been on Comedy Central many times. He gave us the ups and downs of child rearing and explained what it was like as an African American "coming home".

Police Academy star

Brian Haner

David Kau brought the local to the stage as a proudly South African comedian. It makes me proud to see a man from our home country playing on stage with the big boys and the audience could clearly see that not only was he in his element, but also that he belongs there.

To close off the first half was Michael Winslow. You don't know who he is? Have you ever watched Police Academy? Do you know the guy that does the noises? Well that's Michael Winslow and he is more amazing live than on screen. He took clips from Star Wars and did all the voice over, including lasers and wookies. (This had all the men in the audience falling in love with him.)

After a painful 15-minute interval of waiting to go back in, the lights finally dimmed and Brian Haner started it all up again. The first act was Schalk Bezuidenhout, who was the winner of the Heart FMs next comic. A dorky looking Afrikaans 20-year-old who tells it like it is and is another reason to be proud of Cape Town.

The funny just kept coming and when I thought that my sides couldn't take anymore, Loni Love walked on stage: a curvy, black American woman who put it straight and reminded all the audience members just to be happy. She has also been on Comedy Central and will be back in South Africa as soon as she can.

Saving the best for last

Michael Winslow

Louis Katz was up next, although Louis is tiny don't let that fool you, he can tell a very strong joke.

And then before we knew it, it was the final act - Orlando Jones. If ever you watched the movie Evolution you will know him as the black guy who has the bug crawling under his skin. A dancing, singing, comic genius who was definitely a case of "saving the best for last".

But after all is said and done the amazing part was that all these comedians who had travelled to our beautiful country kept reminding us of how lucky we are to have all that wonder just outside our doors. Thank you to Nandos, the Artscape, Graca and DStv for sponsoring this event and bringing the funny to Cape Town. Make sure that you get your tickets next year - I'm sure it will be better than ever before.