Popular Cape Town comedian Kurt Schoonraad is set to return to the Baxter Theatre Centre this month with his acclaimed one-man show, Funny Side Up, promising audiences an evening of laughter, relatable storytelling, and light-hearted escapism.
Packed with fresh material and Schoonraad’s trademark observational humour, the show explores the everyday experiences and absurdities that South Africans know all too well.
“Funny Side Up is really about holding onto your sense of humour no matter what life throws at you,” said Schoonraad.
“People have been through a lot over the last few years, and sometimes laughter is the one thing that helps us breathe again.”
The return to the Baxter carries special significance for the comedian, who launched his debut one-man show, Punchlines, at the venue more than two decades ago.
“The Baxter Theatre has always felt like home,” he said. “A lot of memories were made on that stage, and coming back with Funny Side Up again feels like a full-circle moment.”
Born in District Six and raised in Mitchells Plain, Schoonraad has built a reputation as one of South Africa’s most respected comedy performers. Throughout his career, he has shared stages with international comedy stars including John Cleese, Russell Peters, and Pauly Shore. He also played a key role in developing local comedy talent through the Cape Town Comedy Club, which he founded in 1997.
Known for transforming ordinary life experiences into comedy gold, Schoonraad says his material is inspired by everyday moments. “We all sit in traffic, go shopping, argue with family members, or overhear weird conversations somewhere. I just take those moments, exaggerate them a little, and hopefully make people see themselves in it.”
Funny Side Up runs at the Baxter Theatre from Monday, June 22 to Saturday, June 27, at 8pm, though with an additional Saturday performance at 3pm. Tickets are priced from R180 and can be purchased on Webtickets.
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