GOING SOLO
AS ONE of the most prolific producers on the stand-up comedy circuit, Siv Ngesi dedicates a chunk of his time in promoting other artists. In between, the multi-talented artist also pops up frequently on the telly and in films – and on celeb best dressed lists. Now Ngesi is back at the Baxter with his own show, Siv-ilized. It is on in the Golden Arrow Studio, until October 14, at 8.30pm.
This is the first time in four years that Ngesi is going solo. “I felt it was time for me to challenge myself again,” he said. “Comedy goes down as the scariest thing I have ever done to date in my short 31-year-old life – so I am doing this adventure again.” In Siv-ilized, he says he is letting rip. “This time around I’m speaking about everything – no matter how dirty, taboo or dangerous.”
Okay, but I don’t think anyone can accuse Siv Ngesi of playing it safe. From his first solo show in 2009, Dekaf , he showed his grit and mettle in going full frontal with jabs about the status quo – about being young and black and straddling multiple worlds: Gugulethu where he was born and grew up in until he was 10 and Pinelands – where his mom, a schoolteacher moved the family. When I interviewed him for the run of Dekaf in Cape Town in 2009, he was 25. He had moved out of Pinelands and was living in the city – where he still resides.
Back in 2010, he was using his full first name – Sivuyile. As he developed his branding as a personality, the abbreviation Siv took over. Siv stands for itself. It’s like saying: ‘Madonna.’ You know who that is. If you say ‘Siv’ – we know who is being talked about. Indeed, he loves tossing around the Siv word. For instance, regarding the current show, he quipped: “Don’t be apprehenSIV, join me and get comprehenSIVely entertained! You’ve been SIVed”.
When he was 10, he nabbed a part in a TV commercial. Shortly after that he was cast as Gavroshe in Pieter Toerien’s touring production of Les Miserables to Asia.
Yup, he is also a musical theatre performer. There was a gig he did with his sister at Madiba’s birthday party.
During his school days in Pinelands, he was in heaps of theatre productions – Fugard, Shakespeare et al.
Theatre was where he was headed. His career took a shift when comic David Newton spotted him at the National Arts Festival in 2008 and suggested that he try his hand at stand-up comedy – so he did. But his theatrical experience is always evident by the way he uses the stage. Talking of body matters, he is frequently featured on best dressed lists and celeb lists. He does a good suit. “We are all brands,” he mused. “The question is: ‘Are you Pep or Gucci’. Yes, this body has become more popular than my talents – but I do love being healthy and active, but there’s more to me than this eight pack.” He takes it all in his stride. “The best dressed thing is another weird thing that has happened. I prefer to be naked and in bed – but sometimes I have to put clothing on. But I believe with true confidence: you should look good with a black bag on.”
With all the success, he remains proudly Xhosa. “I will never stop my proud Xhosa culture. It means so much to me and my family. We still slaughter and keep to our Xhosa culture. If anyone wants to complain or call the SPCA! It’s our culture. I’m in Gugs weekly for sheep head and liver. Yummy.”
Daniel Richards is currently appearing in a Siv-produced show – the superb State Fracture at Followspot’s Kalk Bay Theatre – on until October 28. *Tickets for Siv-ilized at the Baxter, are R120. Book at Computicket or www.computicket.com/0861 9158000 Tickets for State Fracture at Followspot‘s Kalk Bay Theatre are R150. Book at www.kalkbaytheatre.co.za or call 021 788 7257.