Comedian’s life no joke
SERIOUSLY: CAN’T DO WITHOUT CONNECTION WITH PRAYER, THE BIBLE AND FELLOWSHIP.
Says fans should expect hospitalisation from laughter at upcoming comedy event.
She has been voted the funniest woman in South Africa but perhaps she should also be voted the busiest, as well.
Krijay Govender is a woman who understands the heartbeat of the entertainment industry, an all-round entertainer who refuses to sit on her hands.
She’s an award-winning actress, comedian, playwright and director on stage and screen. She has five Safta awards for directing. Her directing repertoire included Isidingo, The Wild, High Rollers, Rhythm City, Ubizo, Sestopla, Ga Re Dumele, Abomzala, Skeem Saam and most recently, Bedford Wives.
She’s also an awarding winning playwright (Women in Brown) and a published academic.
I spent time with Govender as she shared other interesting facts about her life.
Q: How would you explain your relationship with comedy?
A: It’s a bit like air. I need it daily to survive. I’ve always seen life slightly off-centre. It’s my coping mechanism. It’s a love-hate relationship. Very much like an old marriage.
Q: How difficult is it to make people laugh?
A: Honestly, I haven’t thought about that. I focus on the joke with the hopeful confidence that the audience will graciously receive it.
Q: Where would you say you get the inspiration for comedy?
A: Definitely daily life; a bit of politics, unquestioned practices and traditions; my family as well.
Q: How do you deal with a tough crowd?
A: You win them over! You just work smarter than you ever did. You pray. What makes me more fulfilled about being a comedian has to be the applause.
Q: You are an actress, director and stand-up comedian; how do you manage to strike a balance and still have a life away from work?
A: I’ve never looked at it in terms of balance but rather in terms of opportunity.
Q: Which would you say is your first love: actress, director and stand-up comedian?
A: That’s like asking me who my favourite child is.
Q: Which role would you like to portray?
A: I would love to play Hillary Clinton or Whitney Houston. They are both very complicated characters. But I have a slight challenge on both ends.
Q: What is it about directing you find interesting?
A: I enjoyed all my directing jobs. I enjoy the comedy more: Abomzala, Ga Re Dumele, Thandeka’s Diary, Sestopla, which I’m excited about for Saftas 2018. With dramas, The Wild and Bedford Wives stand out. Soaps are a bit of a factory sadly. We have to work extremely hard to keep it fresh.
Q: How challenging is being behind the camera as a director?
A: I enjoy leadership, so it’s an attractive option for me. Most of directing is people management and getting the best out of people, such as actors and the crew.
Q: What should people expect from you at the Kings & Queens of Comedy?
A: As always, a chance of hospitalisation due to side pains caused by laughs from all comedians.
Q: What would you say most people don’t know about you?
A: I love the Lord before anything else. Anything! I can’t do without that connection with prayer, my Bible and fellowship – in that order.
Q: What do you enjoy doing if you are not working?
A: It has to be walking. I love walking.
Krijay Govender is part of the extravaganza line-up of comedians who will be performing at the Kings & Queens of Comedy event on Saturday, February 10 at the Sun Arena in Time Square, Pretoria at 8pm.