Living life on the hedge
YouTube video star gears up for a crazy homecoming show
DURBAN comedian Keith Fraser is Living life on the Hedge and making waves in his new home in Perth, Australia.
Last month, one of his videos went viral, garnering more than 360 000 views.
“I went to bed Australian time that night and woke up to my best mate having messaged me several times to inform me I had gone viral. “It feels wonderful,” he said. Fraser has been creating YouTube videos for more than a year where he details his everyday experiences, adding a touch of South African zest to his skits. The Kloof High School matriculant made his big move to Australia in 2014.
“It’s been a very tough and expensive process. There have been moments where I thought it wouldn’t be possible to stay here. It costs a lot of money, but the biggest expense is being away from the ones I love and the yearning for the warm hug of the motherland. It has taught me a lot about patience and commitment,” he said.
He discovered an appetite for stage, acting and spontaneous dancing at high school. “My passions developed into a DJ career at 16 years old – a means for extra income. I deejayed at weddings, birthdays, night clubs and funerals.
“I made a commitment to bringing people a weekly video, commenting on my life in Australia through various accents, characters and styles. Some videos have days of work put into them and others are just casual, uncut uploads.”
Being a comedian to a familiar audience is one thing, but creating content for a diverse online audience is in a realm of its own.
“Co-ordinating shows is time consuming and full of frustrations, but I am determined to reach my people wherever they are. I took a risk in putting myself online by being my crazy usual self.”
“I’ve looked back on certain videos and thought: ‘What am I doing?’ But in the end, I’ve built and continue to build this loyal following that I hope motivates people in whatever areas in their lives,” he said.
“Performing wise, overseas has been a challenge in my methods and delivery. But each audience is different, whether on home territory or overseas. You need to understand that and pay attention to it,” he said.
Fraser’s Life on Hedge Tour will make its way to Durban (at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre on March 29), Johannesburg and Cape Town.
“My audience can expect me carrying on as my usual self, with commentaries on life as an immigrant between two worlds, with a particular focus on the daily situations we each face in this constant world of modernisation. Throw in a few South African spices and Bob’s your uncle, mate.
“As for returning home, I’m looking forward to feeling that homely South African soul, with a warm hug from Mama Africa – and my mom too. There is no place on earth that has the vibrancy of Africa, and I aim to dive into that with a Black Label quart.”
To watch Fraser’s videos, visit https://www.facebook. com/pg/kevinfraserofficial