What is “meh”? According to the Urban Dictionary:

• It’s the verbal equivalent of a shrug of the shoulders…
• Or an interjection used to imply indifference towards a subject.

I figured that would be the perfect way to describe my feelings about this year’s Nando’s Comedy Festival…

Hmmm... do the acts match up to those impressive curtains!? I don't think so...

Now I go every single year and have always been a massive fan – I guess I’ve therefore built up some seriously high expectations.  This year left me feeling disappointed to be honest…  they got a few laughs out of me… some giggles… and even some open mouth laughing here and there.  But there was none of the usual snorting/crying/nose running/crazy-eyed laughter that I have become accustomed to over the years.

Previous years it was referred to as the “Nando’s INTERNATIONAL comedy festival” and they always had a great mix of comedians from all over the world, including some brilliant local talents.  But I see this year they took out the International part, basically because they only managed to get American acts.   Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate American comedians or anything, I just don’t really enjoy their sense of humour most of the time.  I much prefer the dry, sarcastic & dark humour that the Brittish for example seems to have mastered.

Think more Cyanide & Happiness and less Adam Sandler.   Slapstick and tons of wanking jokes don’t really hit the spot for me…

Anyhoo, the line-up was as follows:

• MC for the evening: Mark Eddie (USA) – he sings/plays guitar as part of his act
• Michael Loftus (USA – used to write for The George Lopez Show)
• Greg Behrendt (USA – writer of “He’s just not that into you”)
• Ndumiso Lindi (SA – Eastern Cape boy)
• Carl Weber (SA – Graça Comedy Showdown winner)
• Dan Cummins (USA – he’s been featured on shows such as The Late, Late Show, The Tonight Show & Last Comic Standing)
• Headlining act: Pablo Francisco (USA – and apparently he’s a big deal world wide…)

I quite enjoyed the two local guys – but I felt they didn’t give them enough stage time.  Compared to the US acts, they had super short sets.  It left you feeling like they didn’t really get time to get into a good flow.

The MC was a bit too corny… Michael & Greg were OK.  As for Pablo… hmmm…  squirrel on acid comes to mind! haha.  There were tiny moments of brilliance in his act, but overall it was just awkward really.

The star of the show for me was Dan Cummins.  I really connected with his slightly evil sense of humour.  He was just brilliant!  Mwhahahahahaha…  I’m gonna see if I can check out more of his stand-up online.

Usually this comedy festival takes place at the Baxter Theatre, but this year the magnificent Artscape was it’s home.  I love the Artscape, it’s so dramatic!

BAM! In your face...

Just check out these crazy chandelliers:

It's soooo ugly... but I kinda love it...

OK, the fact that I’m sounding more excited about the venue should be a warning sign!!!  But go check it out for yourselves – comedy is a very individual thing.  You might just love it and think I’m a total idiot…

The festival is running until 14 Aug and tickets are available through Computicket – R150 for the cheap seats and R200 to be close to the front.

Bye for now. xxx