While the Proteas prepare to pad up against England on cricket pitches across the country, South Africa's finest comics will be doing battle on stage with two English stars at Parker's Comedy & Jive.
John Gordillo (4 to 7 and 12 and 13 November) and Markus Birdman (18 to 21 and 25 to 28 November) will face a stiff challenge against the talented South African line-up, including veterans Joe Parker and Mel Miller, left-field Roni Modimola, hyperactive Hannes Brummer and rising stars Ndumiso Lindi and Melt Sieberhagen.
Throw in the improvisational genius of the Starship Improvise crew and the chance to see some of SA's finest new talent at Wednesday's Open Mic sessions.
A canon of intelligent, provocative material
John Gordillo is a refreshing performer with a canon of intelligent, provocative material. He picks away obliquely and relentlessly at his subjects to find fresh jokes, taking comedy away from a tried-and-tested formula into more unexpected terrain - yet always aware that cleverness comes a clear second to funniness.
The BBC, no less, called Markus Birdman “the all-round package; witty, controversial, hip, topical and silly. A master of timing and physical comedy, he'll make you laugh so hard it hurts”. An experienced and versatile comedian and compere, Markus performs live all over the UK and internationally, and also as a voice-over and warm-up artist.
Thursdays to Saturdays feature three local comics and one international act per night - with the show sure to vary massively from night to night as the comics draw inspiration from the audience's reactions. Tickets for the regular Thursday to Saturday gigs (which kick off at 8.45pm) are priced between R80 and R100 are available from Computicket and www.parkerscomedy.com.
Open-Mic Night
Wednesday is Open Mic Night at Parker's, featuring SA's best new comedic talent, an international headliner and the improvisational skills of the Starship Improvise team. Starship Improvise have wowed audiences across the country with their quick-witted improvisations and are sure to be a hit in their new home at Parker's.
Starship Improvise is a collective of South Africa's freshest, funniest and most talented improvisers, doing “whose line is it anyway”-style short-form improv. It's all made up on the spot using suggestions from the audience.
Tickets for the Open Mic Night, featuring that week's international headliner and Starship Improvise cost R60 and are available from Computicket and www.parkerscomedy.com.
The November 2009 Lineup is:
4 November
Open Mic
Starship Improvise
John Gordillo (UK)
5 to 7 November
Joe Parker
Martin Jonas
Roni Modimola
John Gordillo (UK)
11 November
Sold Out
12 and 13 November
Joe Parker
Magic Man
Hannes Brummer
John Gordillo (UK)
14 November
Sold Out
18 November
Open Mic
Starship Improvise
Markus Birdman (UK)
19 to 21 November
Joe Parker
Alyn Adams
Ndumiso Lindi
Markus Birdman (UK)
25 November
Open Mic
Starship Improvise
Markus Birdman (UK)
26 November
Joe Parker
Mel Miller
Melt Sieberhagen
Markus Birdman (UK)
27 November
Sold Out
28 November
Joe Parker
Mel Miller
Melt Sieberhagen
Markus Birdman (UK)
Parker's Comedy & Jive is situated near the cinemas at Montecasino at Shop 24, next to the Boogaloos Skate Park and across from Sweets from Heaven. Bookings are now open via Computicket (www.computicket.com) and admission fees vary between R60 (Wednesdays) and R80 to R100 (Thursday to Saturday). For more information, go to www.parkerscomedy.com Lineups subject to change at short notice.
