The Big 5 Comedy Show

Nik Rabinowitz has been announced as the new comedy star addition to the The Big 5 Comedy Show at the Teatro in Montecasino on 27 and 28 July 2018, among four other titans of South African stand-up at the The Big 5 Comedy Show, supported by Comedy Central.

Rabinowitz joins John Vlismas, Joey Rasdien, Stuart Taylor and Jason Goliath for two wild shows.

The legendary DJ Ready D completes the line up with him performing between changeovers.

Rabinowitz replaces Tumi Morake on the line up, who has had to withdraw due to other unscheduled commitments.

The Big 5 Comedy Show supported by Comedy Central was a sold-out sensation last year in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Jo’burg and all indications are that it will be another not-to-be-missed comic affair.

Collectively, these comics have some of the most impressive résumés in South Africa. From hosting TV shows and starring in movies, to performing comedy shows that pack out festivals and theatres across the globe, this is an ensemble quite unlike any other.

Elisca Taylor of Taylor Made, who co-produced the show, says: “We are delighted to bring audiences the biggest and best acts who are rarely seen together on the same stage. The line-up is diverse and caters to all tastes but, the one thing they all have in common, is that they are all industry giants. The Big 5 is such an iconic and uniquely African and South African concept. It represents that which is most sought-after. And that is what we are creating with this show.”

Nik Rabinowitz was raised on the mean, green streets of Constantia, Cape Town, a world of ride-bys, piano lessons, and unrelenting love and financial support from family members. Despite all this hardship, he was recently voted the world’s foremost Xhosa-speaking, Jewish, cricket-playing, comedian-dad (by himself).

For more than 20 years John Vlismas has deftly walked the line between underground, alternative and mainstream comedy. He is recognised as the founder of alternative comedy in this country and still pushes the boundaries in terms of edgy comedy. His particular brand of strange and hilarious has charmed local and international audiences alike. His absurd world view has the rare ability to resonate across any audience. He has performed and acted in all kinds of venues from seedy bars to the Royal Albert Hall. He’s odd, he’s mad and he’s sharp!

Joey Rasdien is the face of a new generation of South African comedy. He is instantly recognisable thanks to his roles in movies such as Running Riot, Bunny Chow, Vaatjie Sien Sy Gat, Dollars and White Pipes, Outrageous and Blitz Patrollie. His stand-up comedy style is absurd yet thought-provoking.

With a commanding stage presence, ridiculous amounts of energy and a character-based set focused on making audiences laugh at life’s uncomfortable truths, Jason Goliath has performed around the country and the globe. In 2015, he was recognised as one of Africa’s best comedians and invited to represent Africa in Montreal, Canada, at the Just For Laughs Festival. He is the proud co-owner of Africa’s first premium comedy club in Melrose Arch, The Goliath Comedy Club, which epitomises the new, urban voice of South African comedy.

Stuart Taylor won the prestigious Ovation Award & Overall Best Comedy award at the National Arts Festival, and the Show Time Award for best solo performance. Internationally, he has performed to critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the Berlin International Comedy Festival, New Zealand International Comedy Festival and the Montreaux Comedy festival in Switzerland.

The Big 5 Comedy Show supported by Comedy Central takes place at the Teatro at Montecasino on Friday, 27 July, and Saturday, 28 July at 8pm. Tickets are available at Computicket and range from R150 to R300. The show is rated PG 16.