Just a chuckle or two

YOGIN Devan’s gentle ostracisation of the current breed of Indian comedians doing our circuit refers ( POST, June 28 – July 2).

I sit on the fence on this one, a delicate balancing act. I agree that some of the kaffeeklatsch is vulgar and taboo. I am no judgmental puritan.

But if people are prepared to pay to watch such theatrics, comedians, actors and mimics keep churning out more, irrespective of the meretricious immorality and vulgarity of the topics.

They do it with such inept guts and social gauche, delivering apocalyptically destructive real-life issues in real time. Forty years ago, Devan must have enjoyed Ronnie Govender’s Stable Expense and later the likes of Lahnee’s Pleasure.

But times have changed and new talent pops up daily. Digital advertising is using comedians to get the message through.

A typical example is the Maharajah curry powder advert showing a mother hassling her son and girlfriend. It is funny when she prays to keep them apart but the advert catch-line, “Bringing Families Together”, is a digital masterpiece. It incorporates Indian thinking, talking and religion.

I would class theatre-goers as dilettantes, they just go there for a chuckle or two. Many go because they are family or friends or to support an organisation or contribute to raising funds.

You can’t compare this group to movie or soccer addicts. Music and dance innovation in the repertoire, could be another attraction. Supper theatre was an exciting initiative at one time.

KEVIN GOVENDER

Shallcross