Award-winning South African comedian Dalin Oliver has not left East London off the map for his SA leg of 90 Day Comedian, hot on the heels of his six-country, 13-city tour across Europe and the UK.
Oliver will be making stops in Johannesburg, Durban, Paarl, East London, Gqeberha and Cape Town from October 1 to November 30 with a 75-minute laughter-filled journey that explores identity, cultural politics and what it means to be “proudly South African in a world that knows little about our nation’s rich diversity and history”.
He will be in East London performing at the Alexander Playhouse on October 24.
“Performing in 18 cities and seven countries over the past year has really shaped the show,” Oliver said.
“As always, I drew inspiration from South Africans and travelling made me appreciate just how special we are. The world needs more South Africans to teach them how to be ‘lekker’.
“The creative process for 90 Day Comedian started in 2023 when I spent two months performing across Australia.
“At first, I only had a title because I had to submit something to the festival I applied to perform at in Melbourne. The title was inspired by my 90-day work visa.
“During that period, I was exposed to different cultures, new places and how different audiences react to comedy.”
Oliver’s unique perspective and comedic charm have earned him accolades from festivals which are part of the World Fringe Network, including the Fringe World Festival’s Best Weekly Comedy Show Award in Perth, Australia, and a bronze Standard Bank Ovation Award at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda this year.
He had a full house of laughs in the Guy Butler Theatre with a short taste of his material as part of Rob van Vuuren’s Very Big Comedy show at NAF.
His snippet included anecdotes about family life and relatable human experiences.
“Performing internationally has been an incredible experience, but there’s nothing like performing for South Africans.
“This show is a celebration of our culture, our quirks and everything that makes us unique.”
Some may recognise his voice from his work as a radio sports broadcaster and presenter on Good Hope FM, before which he was a schoolteacher.
The comedian now has specials on Showmax, DStv and Comedy Central Africa, plus he hosts the Late Late Tackle Podcast, featuring rugby’s biggest stars.
He called touring Europe a dream come true.
“Having my wife with me made it even more special,” Oliver said.
“It was incredible to travel together, share my comedy and represent SA.
“The reception abroad was amazing and it was mind-blowing to be a proud ambassador of our country.
“Before last year, I had very little international experience and only performed in Namibia and Canada, where I did shows in Windhoek and Toronto.
“I hadn’t fully experienced the international stage in a way that pushed me to grow as a comedian. This show is about those experiences, both on and offstage.”
- Catch comedian Dalin Oliver’s show 90 Day Comedian at the Alexander Playhouse on October 24. Tickets cost R150 per person. For more information go to www.dalinoliver.com. Bookings through Quicket.
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