Comedy doctor’s prescription for winter blues

LIKE the old saying goes, laughter is the best medicine. And Durban audiences are fully aware of that as the side-splittingly funny show, Doctor’s Orders, by Riaad Moosa (pictured), returns due to public demand.

With two shows, on May 22 and 23, the comedy doctor returns to the stage, doing what he does best: leaving audiences in stitches.

Tonight caught up with the award-winning comedian, writer and actor to learn more about what he has in store for his audience.

“I always enjoy coming to Durban and was pleasantly surprised that people are still coming to see this show.

“I’ve performed it a number of times a few years back and I’m happy that it’s had such a positive response. I’m looking forward to it,” he says.

Having made his mark on the South African comedy circuit, I ask what makes his stand-up different from other comedians.

“Well, you try and personalise comedy as much as possible. When you are able to personalise it, and do that, it becomes unique. I assume not many people can do Indian, Muslim, doctor, Capetonian and South African style humour.

“So you can make it extremely specific to yourself and everybody is able to be unique in some way, unless you are quadruplet, and even then in some way, there should be something unique about you,” he jokes.

Speaking of his personal life, the comedian says he’s now a father of three, after which he imitates the voices of screaming kids. So were you always this funny?

He laughs: “Not always.

“I’m a very studious, quiet person.

“I always enjoyed jokes and think when I was exposed to the art form of stand-up comedy at university, I found my creative drive.” With that said, does he feel that comedic abilities are something you’re born with or something that can be learnt?

“I would say both. Having a sense of humour is something you’re born with, but learning the art form of stand-up comedy is something you can get better at.

“Some people don’t ever see the funny so you need to be able to see the funny, that’s the prerequisites. And then you can learn the skill.”

At the moment, Moosa tells me, he’s writing a follow-up to the acclaimed 2012 movie, Material.

“We’re also involved in a medical edutainment project.

“I’m trying to get health information out there in an informative and entertaining way. There are also a number of TV projects on the cards and I may go back to the Late Nite News.”

Steering the conversation back to Doctors Orders, Moosa says it’s going to be the same show but the material has evolved slightly.

“That’s the nature of stand-up, talking about my experiences, about being a father and returning to stand-up after doing films.

“I use myself as a template for comedy. Everything about me forms my humour.”

• Catch Doctor’s Orders on May 22 and 23 at Suncoast. Tickets available for R150 through Computicket.