Stand-up Comedy: Alan Committie presents Comedy Gold
17 October at 20:00
Spier Auditorium
Alan Committie’s Comedy Gold reminds us that great comedy is part intellect, part timing, and part joyful chaos. He gets on stage dressed in a sports outfit that he calls “athleisure”. Within his first few minutes on stage, the crowd bursts into laughter that barely fades until the lights go down.
From the opening moments, it’s clear this is not just another performance: It’s a farewell run. Committie announces that this will be his last performance of his show Comedy Gold, as he prepares to write a new one, which will feature at the Theatre on the Bay next year. For him, the day marks the end of a comedic chapter.
Three flip charts sit on stage, forming the backbone of his act. Committie flips, scribbles, and chats his way through a hilarious network of thoughts, using the charts as both prop and storytelling tool. They are proof of his past life as a high school teacher, and that connection becomes more personal when he spots one of his former students in the crowd.
Alan Committie performs Comedy Gold, using three flip charts as visual aids to deliver his interactive stand-up comedy show. The setup reflects his background as a former teacher, blending instructions and improvisation in a single act. PHOTO: Supplied/Woordfees
Committie uses the charts to explain the three medal categories in sports: Gold, silver, and bronze. In these moments, the performance becomes part comedy, part classroom, with the responding audience as his eager pupils.
The show’s supposed theme of a celebration of sporting achievements plays out as more of a playful excuse for his “athleisurewear” wardrobe than a structured concept. He does not really dive deep into the country’s sporting achievements, but rather jokes about the physical realities of his 51-year-old body, from diets and stretching routines to the impossible expectations of staying fit in his middle age. While Comedy Gold may not dwell a lot on sports, it captures the endurance and spirit of a performer who has been sprinting in the spotlight for decades.
Alan Committie plays with language and visual humour in Comedy Gold, showcasing his trademark blend of intellect and absurdity. His quick wit and physical presence keep the audience fully engaged throughout the performance. PHOTO: Supplied/Woordfees
The show blends structure with spontaneity. Committie’s quick cleverness shines in his improvised exchanges with the crowd, proving that audience interaction is one of his strongest comedic tools. At one point, Committie fixates on an audience member who isn’t laughing, turning it into a frequent joke.
It is funny yet slightly uncomfortable, because his humour feeds off audience energy. The audience member ended up engaging with Committie’s jokes and seemed to be having fun towards the end of the show. Committie’s energy is relentless, yet he never loses control; every exaggerated expression and turn of phrase lands with purpose.
Comedy Gold ultimately lives up to its name. It is a polished, high-energy celebration of performance, play, and the power of making people laugh.