So I  really did hit the ground running when I got back from Edinburgh. Four back to back shows at Montecasino, followed by one Sunday to spend quality time with the family before schlepping between interviews and corporate gigs. My highlight, of course, was my most recent performance in Botswana. 

 

I still feel slightly wobbly after Edinburgh – as though I am doing a kind of balancing act between this “thinking man’s comic” and “loudmouth ranter”. I am trying to figure out where my new material is going – because trust me, my content determines my on stage persona. So I got to gorgeous, peaceful Botswana and wondered what I would be offering. I found myself once again away from home, on foreign soil, and being acquainted with a new audience. Most knew me from Big Brother Hot Room, so the comedy, in whatever for, would come as a surprise; and some knew my work via Comedy Central Africa, which meant  bait of pressure to throw some fresh new flavour their way. Sure, you can’t please everyone, but you sure as hell can try.

 

The emcee was Digg Nash, popular comic, with a long career and a rock star welcoming cheer from the audience. heavily influenced by American comedians in style and stance, he worked that audience like a pro. The first act was Rib Cracker, a local comic who performed in Setswana and nearly made me pee my pants. He lived up to that name. The beauty of the multilayered punchlines that come with vernac. I panicked. I was at the home of my mother tongue, Setswana, but the Setswaba here is so pure, so untainted I felt unworthy of claiming my Setswana heritage. I wondered if I should dare a bit of that when my turn came to play.

 

My turn came and I took to the stage the best way I know how: By making it clear we are there to have a good time. I felt so at home. It was as though I was performing in my own backyard, on familiar ground. We found out rhythm, and had a good time. Porridge brain crept in occasionally but I stayed on the ball and found my way back, all the while this warm, open audience stayed with me.  I picked on a man in a suit, and ended my banter with him by joking about not being allowed back in Botswana after my comment, the audience laughed loudly at this and I thought “it wasn’t that funny”. He turned out to be the minister. Thank you comedy gods.

 

Lordy I am still in that Edinburgh afterglow. I am letting all those lessons sink in and fit them into the comfort zone that is home. Luckily I am still nation-hopping so to speak, with Botswana now under my belt and Zimbabwe coming up. Moving from all Black audiences to mixed audiences to language switches.

 

The experience?  Truth be told, lately I am really not satisfied when I get off stage. There is a feeling I am looking for. Perhaps a rhythm I want playing between myself and the audience. A kind dance I feel like I haven’t had with the audience in a long time. And that dance takes work and fine tuning. So I shall continue to sit with my comedy instrument and work it until I hit those beats and walk off stage feeling like “Yup, that’s the one.” In the mean time I make sure to have a good time on stage, take the people on a journey with me and just have a jol, because that’s the point isn’t it? Good vibes all around.

 

Mass Hysteria PE? Ag, could have been better but I chalk this one up to experience. One of those nights where you are not on form and you must just forgive yourself and move on. Luckily  I return next month with a totally different show and the heat must be brought. Regardless, I am having a good time ALL THE WAY.

 

So watch this space… The next chapter of Herstory is being written. The title already exists. And it will be, in the words of my colleagues, BLAZING.

 

Memories