Quizzing Comedians Nik Rabinowitz and Riaad Moosa
by Guest Author
What can people expect from your performances in Australia?
Nik: Obviously audience members will smuggle in the odd vuvuzela, so you can expect a fairly rowdy show. Also, being African there is no guarantee we wont attempt a land invasion of the Theatres. Once we are settled in nicely we will nationalise Ayers Rock. Mostly they can expect to split their sides laughing. Or pee in their pants laughing, which would be less painful, but as embarrassing.
Riaad: They can expect laughter and mirth and a little taste of home.
Are your Australian performances targeted at expats, or would Australians also find something at which to laugh?
Nik: I think about half the show will be targeted at expats, but, of course, we will do some platypus jokes for the locals. (For the Aussie readers, Julius Malema is our proudly South African version of the platypus).
Riaad: Itll depend whos in the audience. If there are more Australians, Ill do more universal material otherwise Ill do the South African material. I would personally like to perform at some of the Australian comedy clubs while we are in Oz Im excited about that.
Do South Africans easily laugh at themselves?
Nik: We laugh easily. But we could moer you just as easily afterwards (when we work out the punchline). By the way, moer means bliksem. Bliksem means klap. And klap is what you could get if you sleep around. Get my point?
Riaad: Yes. Stand-up comedy in South Africa has gone though a major boom in past few years.
Are South Africans living overseas any different?
Nik: No, they still love a good braai, even if it must be a shrimp on the barbie.
Riaad: Ill let you know when I perform for them.
What makes you laugh?
Nik: My seven month old son.
Riaad: My children. Their honesty is hilarious. I dont generally laugh at stand-up comedy because I am a professional stand-up comic. When I hear a funny joke I usually go thats funny.
What performers have influenced you most?
Nik: Jacob Zuma and George W Bush.
Riaad: Dave Chapelle, Chris Rock and Jerry Seinfeld.
What have been some of the best moments in your career so far?
Nik: This years highlights have been performing at the Royal Albert Hall and on UK TV series Mock the Week. Previous highlights included winning SA Comic of the year in 2008 and performing for three men and a dog under a tree in Botrivier in 2002.Riaad: Performing in Oz is going to be one of them.
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