Publications
Partners
Cape Town – Relax, get a drink, take a seat and get ready to feed your soul with not only good food but with the best medicine in the world - laughter!
Greeted with pearly white smiles at the door I am welcomed into a spacious hall.
The place is buzzing with excitement, friends and family chatting and laughing with waitrons ready to attend to them.
With an ice-cold drink and a plate of chilli poppers on my table; I’m ready for the show.
It’s 20:30 and the lights dim, the music starts and out walks Carl Weber, the host of the night, to get things started.
Dedicated to the world of stand-up comedy, Jou Ma Se Comedy club is the funniest place to be at in Cape Town!
About the club
Starting small owner and well-known comedian, Kurt Schoonraad says the concept of the club was a no-brainer and following its success as a pop-up venue, it just made sense to choose the Pumphouse at the V&A Waterfront to set its roots.
Being the only club in Cape Town dedicated to stand-up comedy, Jou Ma Se Comedy club has created an empire for a new wave of comedians to do the simplest of things – make people laugh.
Celebrating their first year at the V&A this November, the club has built up a wide platter of comedians with a diverse range of topics to laugh at.
The set up
Upstairs is where the acts of the night gather their thoughts.The lighting and music is also controlled from a balcony that overlooks the entire club.
The stars of the show are made up of a host, a supporting act, the headline and an open mike slot for those looking to "cut their teeth" as Kurt likes to say.
The open plan hall’s roof runs high and comes with a fully licensed bar and kitchen as well as a cosy seating plan.
Whether you are standing at the bar or seated at a table, you will have a clear view of the stage, but a front row seat will always be the best spot in the house!
Stand-up comedy
What is stand-up comedy in a nutshell? Perceived as cracking a joke, Kurt set the record straight: "Stand-up is creating a brand for yourself with a storyline that ends with a bang."
When put into perspective Kurt compares stand-up comedy to making a sale, what are you selling? Yourself.
The challenge lies in having the ability to expose ‘the real you’ and not a made up character.
According to Kurt, stand-up is not a difficult job to do, however it takes a specific charm to make an audience feel as though they have had an experience at the end of the night.
No comedian is censored but when it comes down to the wire, do no harm, and the stage is yours.
What makes this statement acceptable is based on the fact that a painful or controversial issue can be lightened with even the ‘lamest’ joke.
The trendsetter
Calling himself an "observationist" comedian, Kurt has become one of South Africa’s most successful stand-up comedians and doesn’t plan on slowing down!
Along with acting and a presenting career, stand-up comedy has not always been Kurt’s dream job.
"Growing up I didn’t know I wanted to be a comedian and then I did my first gig, I was a part of the Smirnoff comedy festival which ran for two weeks, and one thing just led to another."
Born and bred in Mitchell’s Plain, the comedian can’t help but stay loyal to his roots. "The market for comedy in Cape Town is completely different to that in Jo’burg."
Although Jo’burg is where all the hotshots go, Kurt admits he made the career choice to stay in his home town and has guaranteed that with the exception of international travel he doesn’t plan on moving any time soon.
Jou Ma Se Comedy club is an outing you can't pass on, with affordable prices and a fun night out, laughing fits are guaranteed!
To book your spot between Wednesday and Sunday check them out on their website, Twitter or Facebook.
