(Simmi Areff)
A delightfully amusing and “laugh-out-aloud” show and well
worth seeing. (Review by Keith Millar)
I remember several years ago listening to, and enjoying,
Simmi Areff’s contributions to Darren Scott’s Big Breakfast Show on East Coast Radio. He was always full of fun,
amiable and witty.
It was a disappointment when, as so many of Durban’s
talented youngsters do, he moved to Johannesburg to further his career in radio
and on the comedy circuit. Since then, he has done very well and is now
regarded as one of the country’s top up-and-coming comedians.
So when the opportunity arose to see him in Stay At Home Son, the first one-man show
he has brought to Durban, I was happy to go – and I certainly wasn’t
disappointed.
Areff is a friendly, affable and entertaining character and,
most importantly, he is an especially clever and funny comedian. He employs a
conversational style for his act, constantly involving his audience in his
stories and observations. The intimate Playhouse Loft is ideal for this, with
its steeply-raked seating resulting in performers and audience being in close
proximity to each other.
As a result, it is not only the front row that is at risk
but anyone in the theatre who can - and did - become Areff’s victims. Including
this reviewer who was ragged at great length – even having his rather haphazard
notes read out to the audience!
However, “victim” is not the right word because Areff is so
good-natured and likeable that at no stage did he make anyone feel particularly
uncomfortable or threatened.
During his show, Areff wanders through many subjects
including Oscar Pistorius, Jacob Zuma, Woolworths boycotts, gumboot dancing,
his fiancée’s love of Wakaberry, being a Muslim, living in Hillcrest, owning a
horse as a pet ... and plenty more. The only subject he does not spend much
time on, despite the title of his show, is that of being a stay-at-home son.
A pleasant and unexpected surprise was the appearance of
Durban comedian Neil Green in a brief warm-up session.at the start of the
evening. He is another very funny young man.
All in all, I liked Simmi Areff. I also liked his comedy. Stay at Home Son is a delightfully
amusing and “laugh-out-aloud” show and well worth seeing.
Stay At Home Son
has performances tonight and tomorrow night at 20h00 in the Playhouse Loft. Tickets
R150 booked through Computicket and available at the Playhouse
Box Office. – Keith Millar
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