Whirlwind Theatre launches monthly Comedy Saturdays and a packed July programme of comedy, music and family entertainment

The Whirlwind Theatre is finding that the new regular feature to Johannesburg’s entertainment calendar  Comedy  in the Park which happens on the third Saturday of every month, showcasing some of South Africa’s top comedic talent, is proving to be a hit.

The initiative launched a few moths ago is on again on Saturday, 18 July, the monthly Comedy in the Park, alongside a packed July programme continues with internationally acclaimed musical duo Adrian & Emma-Jean Galliard, the ever-popular K-Pop Kids Disco and Afrikaans comedy sensation Aletta Francina de Kock.

“Live performance has a wonderful way of bringing people together, and that’s exactly what we’re building at The Whirlwind Theatre,” says Tabitha Hoy, co-founder of The Whirlwind Theatre. “Comedy Saturdays is something we’ve wanted to introduce for some time because South Africa has such incredible comedy talent and audiences are always looking for a great night out. We hope people will make the third Saturday of every month part of their routine. Whether they’re joining us for comedy, music or one of our family events, they can enjoy a meal at our café beforehand and make an afternoon or evening of it. That’s the experience we want people to have every time they visit The Whirlwind Theatre.”

Nestled within the Delta Environmental Centre, The Whirlwind Theatre has become one of Johannesburg’s hidden entertainment gems, offering an intimate venue where audiences can enjoy live theatre, comedy, music and family-friendly events in a relaxed setting.

Comedy Saturdays launches with Comedy in the Park

The first Comedy Saturday promises an afternoon of outstanding South African comedy with an exceptional line-up of performers bringing together decades of experience across theatre, television, radio, festivals and corporate stages.

Chris Forrest

One of South Africa’s best-known comedians, Chris Forrest has spent more than two decades entertaining audiences with his intelligent, observational humour and effortless stage presence.

An award-winning comedian, actor, MC and writer, Chris has become a familiar face on South African television and radio, performing at leading comedy festivals, theatres and corporate events throughout South Africa and internationally. His quick wit, clever storytelling and ability to find humour in everyday life have earned him a loyal following and established him as one of the country’s premier stand-up comedians.

Martin Jonas

Martin Jonas is one of South Africa’s most respected corporate and club comedians.

He hosted the South African Music Awards for two consecutive years and M-Net’s It’s A Funny Country. He has headlined the Heavyweight Comedy Jam and performed at the South African Comedy Festival in Hammersmith, London’s West End and numerous comedy clubs throughout the United Kingdom.

Martin has also performed internationally in Mauritius, Namibia and Eswatini, appeared on Comedy Central Africa and entertained audiences for organisations including Honda South Africa, Toyota, Suzuki, MAN, Iveco, Barloworld, Clicks, Liberty, Eskom, SAP, Oracle, FNB, Nedbank and Standard Bank.

His comedy is rooted in observational humour and unique impressions and has often been described as being “funny in any language.”

King Nqoba

For more than twenty years, King Nqoba has been one of South Africa’s leading corporate comedians and keynote speakers, building a reputation for combining relatable South African humour with insightful storytelling and unforgettable audience interaction.

Whether entertaining at corporate events or comedy clubs, King Nqoba transforms everyday South African experiences into laugh-out-loud moments that resonate with audiences from every walk of life.

Shanray van Wyk

Actor, comedian, writer and voice artist Shanray van Wyk is a multi-disciplinary South African creative whose work spans television, stand-up comedy, radio, digital content, animation, children’s entertainment and commercial campaigns.

Known for authentic storytelling that celebrates the humour, diversity and richness of South African culture, Shanray brings a fresh, energetic perspective to every performance.

Aletta Francina de Kock makes her Johannesburg debut

The laughter continues on 20 and 21 July when social media star and comedian Aletta Francina de Kock brings her latest hit stand-up production, Jussie Sussie, to Johannesburg for the very first time.

Known for her razor-sharp humour, hugely popular social media videos and sold-out comedy shows, Aletta has become one of South Africa’s fastest-growing Afrikaans comedians.

Jussie Sussie is her third one-woman show and follows the success of Effens Anders. After moving to another province, life has changed dramatically and, as Aletta says, she’s now living life to the fullest and doing almost anything “vir die plot”.

Audiences can expect an evening of hilarious new experiences, relatable storytelling and wonderfully absurd observations in a performance that is entirely in Afrikaans.

Adrian & Emma-Jean Galliard bring viral success to the stage

On 12 July, audiences can experience the remarkable voices of father-and-daughter duo Adrian and Emma-Jean Galliard.

The Johannesburg-based performers first captured international attention during the COVID-19 lockdown when their moving renditions of classical crossover favourites went viral online.

Following their global online success, they released their debut album, Just Duet, in 2021 and have since toured South Africa and the United Kingdom with acclaimed productions including Accidentally Viral and Striking a Chord.

Their repertoire spans light classical favourites, Broadway musicals, jazz standards and contemporary popular music, while their latest original release, What If We?, is a cinematic ballad celebrating love, kindness and human connection.

K-Pop Kids Disco brings the holidays to a close

The school holidays end on a high note with the ever-popular K-Pop Kids Disco on 18 July from 12pm to 4pm.

Created especially for young K-Pop fans, the event offers an afternoon of music, dancing and entertainment in a fully supervised environment where children can celebrate their favourite music in a safe and welcoming space.

The event includes:

• Professional DJs playing the latest K-Pop hits
• Tuckshop
• Merchandise stall
• Separate parents’ zone
• Pop-up food bar
• Beer and wine garden for adults
• Fully supervised event

Tickets are R80 per person or R150 including a snack pack, with bookings available through Quicket.

More than great entertainment

Visitors can enjoy more than just the performances. The Whirlwind Theatre café is open throughout events from 5:30pm , serving delicious burgers, refreshments and light meals, making it the perfect place to relax before or after a show.

July Programme

12 July
Adrian & Emma-Jean Galliard

18 July
Comedy in the Park
Featuring Chris Forrest, Martin Jonas, King Nqoba and Shanray van Wyk.

18 July
K-Pop Kids Disco
12:00 – 16:00

20 July
Aletta Francina de Kock – Jussie Sussie

21 July
Aletta Francina de Kock – Jussie Sussie

All events take place at The Whirlwind Theatre, Delta Environmental Centre, Johannesburg.

Tickets are available through Quicket.

About The Whirlwind Theatre

Located in the Delta Environmental Centre in Johannesburg, The Whirlwind Theatre is an intimate performance venue dedicated to showcasing quality live entertainment across theatre, comedy, music and family events. With an ever-growing programme of performances and a welcoming café serving burgers, refreshments and light meals, the venue offers audiences a unique destination to experience South African talent in an inviting, community-focused setting.