Alan Committie races through much hilarity with relatable scenarios in ‘Comedy Gold’
With Mzansi feeling loved up in the build-up to Valentine’s Day, seize the moment to be serenaded by multi-award-winning comedian Sifiso Nene at the Lyric Theatre on Thursday and Friday. Tickets cost R250.
However, if that isn’t your vibe, you don’t want to miss “Greater Love” at Joburg Theatre on Friday, February 14.
Featuring young musicians from Stone of Hope, theatregoers will be swooning to unforgettable melodies.
Meanwhile, let’s check out what Alan Committie has to say about his latest one-hander.
“Comedy Gold”
Committie is a household name among theatregoers. News of his show unfailingly gets fans excited.
Ahead of the Joburg run of “Comedy Gold”, I stole the award-winning funnyman away for a quick chat about the show.
On the inspiration behind the venture, he said: “I love finding a big event or pop culture touchstone from that year to use as a hook on which to hang all my stand-up material.
“Two years ago it was the 60th anniversary of James Bond, last year it was the ‘Fast and Furious’ movie franchise and this year it was the 2024 Olympic Games.
“The idea of ‘going for Gold’, achievement and expectations, and being the best version of yourself is open to all kinds of comic interpretation and silliness.”
He continued: “This show looks literally at sports and the Olympics but then broadens out to explore things like Pilates and relationship wellness and the gold medal-winning bad rental vehicle that should be avoided at all costs!”
In the meantime, he’s got the Cape Town audience eating out of the palm of his hands with this production.
With Chris Weare on the director’s chair, Committie noted: “We have worked together on over 30 odd productions now (which include almost ALL my stand-up shows).
“Chris is meticulous and his style centres around specificity and detail within the comedy framework.
“He helps me with shaping material in the broader sense; flow and narrative and then, specifically, with structure and order of material. It’s an easy, well-oiled working relationship that has yielded some incredible project experiences over the years.
“Of course, after two weeks of bouncing material off of him and then rewriting and re-ordering bits, we do most of our work in front of the audience.
“Their response will dictate any finer, more nuanced adjustments. The show goes through several iterations in those first four to seven performances. Then it settles and I, as the comedian, start to play and riff with the material to the crowds. This shifts the show again.”
He continued: “Chris will then pop in once a week and reflect to me what those observed changes look and feel like so that we are happy with the ongoing growth and development.
“The art of stand-up comedy is to make it look easy and as if it is being made up in the moment. But comedy is a serious business and there is a lot of thought and work that goes into creating a space where I can bounce between prepared material and improvising with an audience.”
If you’ve attended any of his shows, you will be aware of the interactive aspect of it. This ensures that no two shows are the same.
Laughing in agreement, he added: “My modus operandi is to chat to six to eight people in an audience every night and then sew their content into the narrative of the show.
“This ensures that every performance is unique and has its own energy and frisson. I delight in chatting with the audience and being able to use what they tell me to comic effect by turning it on its head, deliberately misunderstanding or simply exaggerating their replies to suit my needs.
“I never use plants and I hate talking to an audience that I know.”
Committie admitted that he would do some tweaking to align with the Joburg audience.
He added: “Since I grew up in Jozi, bringing a show here every year, I feel confident that we will pitch this just right.”
As for what else is in his kitty this year, he shared: “Straight after ‘Comedy Gold’, I play the famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot in an Agatha Christie whodunit murder mystery. This is following in the acting footsteps of the much loved (and missed) Bill Flynn.
“The second half of 2025 has one or two other theatrical surprises up its sleeve.”.
Where: Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre.
When: Runs from February 19 to March 16, 7.30pm. Times differ on the weekend.
Cost: Ticket prices vary from R150 to R260 and can be purchased through Webtickets or the Box Office.
“‘n Begin”
This two-hander takes theatregoers into the month of love with Cintaine Schutte and Carel Nel, who viewers will recognise from “Gaia” and “Donkerbos”, at the helm.
Originally penned by British playwright David Eldridge, this production was translated into Afrikaans by Nico Scheepers.
It is directed by Tinarie van Wyk-Loots, who is no stranger to winning awards.
The play centres on Laura (Schutte) who isn’t shy in expressing her feelings for Daniel (Nel) at her house-warming party. Very “Nobody Wants This” vibe.
Meanwhile, he is grappling with deep insecurities, which puts a question mark on this interaction's progress.
The psychological unpacking of complex emotions is delicately handled.
Where: Barney Simon, Market Theatre.
When: Runs until February 16, 7pm. Times differ on the weekend.
Cost: Ticket prices vary between R100 to R200 and can be purchased through Webtickets.