Parker’s Comedy & Jive :  The Proteas vs. The Poms

Posted on the October 22nd, 2009 under Comedy Press by Mum-z

Parker’s Comedy & Jive hosts a clash of the titans in November as South Africa’s finest comics do battle on stage with two English stars – while the Proteas go to war with England on cricket pitches across the country. John Gordillo (4-7 and 12 & 13 November) and Markus Birdman (18-21 & 25-28 November) will face a stiff challenge against the talented South African lineup, 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 and you have an unbeatable mix of comic entertainment which you’ll only see on stage at Parker’s!   John Gordillo (4-7 and 12 & 13 November) 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 tried-and-tested formula into more unexpected terrain – yet always aware that cleverness comes a clear second to funniness. His 2009 Edinburgh show “F**konomics” – about the cost and consequences of sex for men – was a smash hit, following on from his triumphant return to live stand-up with 2008’s “Divide and Conga”.

According to leading UK comedy website Chortle, “Gordillo is an inspiration, a consummate performer with an amazing talent, passion and intellect. If you are after cheap, silly laughs, steer clear, but if you want intelligent, moving comedy with a point, then you cannot afford to miss it.”  Gordillo returned to stand-up after a 6 year break in 2008, during which time he hosted and co-created two series’ of a nightly talk show for BBC 3 (The RDA with John Gordillo) and directed a number of live comedy and theatre shows, two of which were nominated for the prestigious Perrier Award.  The BBC, no less, called Markus Birdman (18-21 and 25-28 November) “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 (from Australia to Singapore, Abu Dhabi to Spain) and also as a voice-over and warm-up artist. His regular Edinburgh Festival appearances always draw rave reviews and he has performed extensively in clubs, on television and on radio.   Thursdays-Saturdays feature 3 local comics and 1 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-Saturday gigs (which kick off at 20:45) are priced between R80 and R100 are available from Computicket and www.parkerscomedy.com.  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 and is always hilariously funny.

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)

5-7 November : Joe Parker,  Martin Jonas,  Roni Modimola,  John Gordillo (UK)

11 November : Sold Out   12 & 13 November:  Joe Parker,  Magic Man,  Hannes Brummer , John Gordillo (UK)

14 November:  Sold Out

18 November:  Open Mic,  Starship Improvise,  Markus Birdman (UK)

19-21 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 – R100 (Thursday – Saturday). For more information, visit www.parkerscomedy.com or call (011) 511 0081. Lineups subject to change at short notice.