Schalk Bezuidenhout has this month started his UK Tour of Keeping Up, performing at Komedia in Brighton this evening, before heading to Oxford tomorrow, continuing around the UK throughout October, including dates at Dublin, Belfast and ending at Clapham Grand in London. Over the summer months, Schalk was performing his Crowd Pleaser show at Edinburgh Fringe, and in December, he is putting on Krismis Bonanza variety show in Cape Town. As well as touring with his comedy, Schalk is an actor, which has included seeing him play Attie in the South African sitcom Taktiek, Danny Beyers across all five series of Hotel, and star as Johan Niemand in the 2018 feature film Kanarie. Chatting to Schalk, he told us about his current UK Tour – Keeping Up, his upcoming variety show Krismis Bonanza and his time playing Danny Beyers in Hotel.
You have just started your second UK Tour – Keeping Up – what are you looking forward to for touring the UK again this year?
This time I am touring to lots of places I’ve never been! Like Guernsey! What is a guernsey? Is it a vital organ? Is it something you use in a hospital? Guess we’ll find out soon!
Can you tell us about Keeping Up and the theme of the show?
It’s all about trying to keep up in a world that is changing at a rapid pace! Obviously doesn’t help that I spend most of my time with old people as the youngest member of the bowls club at the Allen Park Retirement Village. Also the defending novice champion, I might add!
What can audiences expect from the show and what do you hope they take away from watching it?
I got a message from a lady after one of the shows the other day saying: “thanks for ruining my make-up”. I would say if ruined mascara is what they take from the show, I will sleep well at night.
What has Keeping Up been like to work on and how much has the show changed over time?
I have the bulk of the show which does stay the same every night. Luckily the material is material I love doing, so I don’t get bored of it. I try to fill the beginning with as much relevant newsworthy stuff and material about the city or country I am in as possible. That’s always a nice challenge and the audience really appreciates the effort. Otherwise it can feel like a copy and paste show that is exactly the same for every audience.
Where did you get the inspiration from to write Keeping Up and when did you start work on it?
While having to do a task where I have to concentrate and not think about jokes is always where I think of my best jokes! I started working on the show in 2022 when I found myself often putting my foot in it in conversations! My friends started teasing me that I was like a cool dad trying to stay hip, but failing miserably. So I started to write material about it, because it is laughable!
You will be performing at many different venues around the UK, including Brighton Komedia tonight (3rd October), do you have a favourite aspect of touring internationally with your own comedy shows?
As the years go by you start making friends in these different cities and I also have some friends from back home who have, over the years, moved to some of the cities I tour. So often when I do shows in these cities it’s also seeing old friends. And there is something special about becoming friends with people who started as fans.
Over summer, you took Crowd Pleaser to the Edinburgh Fringe, how was this?
Very well-received, and I already can’t wait to tour it in the UK! Each of these shows becomes like a child that I am so proud of and want to show off to the world!
Can you tell us about Krismis Bonanza, which you will be performing in Cape Town throughout December?
It’s a Christmas variety show with all sorts of weird and wonderful acts! It’s not really a conventional thing in South Africa to advertise a line-up show where the audience has no clue who is on the line-up, so I am excited to surprise people with this comedy Christmas stocking of a show! I am also an idiot who fills every waking second of my life with comedy and shows while other people are having holidays!
During your comedy career so far, you have won awards, supported Trevor Noah on tour and had your own stand-up special for Comedy Central, what are some of your favourite highlights?
Doing support for Trevor Noah does really stand out. Walking out to 8000 people is something not a lot of comedians get to experience in their life. Trevor also has really nice backstage snacks. Super premium stuff. Seriously, best grapes I’ve ever had!
How was your time playing Attie in the South African sitcom Taktiek?
I love acting so much and try to do at least one big acting project a year. It also makes me miss stand-up so that when I get back on stage I perform and write better because I am so hungry for it again. I do my best work when I’m hungry.
Do you have any stand-out memories from working on Hotel across all five series and what was Danny Beyers like to play?
Danny has a special place in my heart. He is such a loveable character. Hotel was also the first Afrikaans mockumentary and people didn’t know what to make of it at first. Then after two or three seasons, people started dressing up as the characters for Halloween!
How was it starring as Johan Niemand in the 2018 feature film Kanarie?
I want everyone to see Kanarie, not just because of the subject matter, but also to show everyone: “hey look, I CAN act!”.
Where does your love of comedy and acting come from and how did you get into both?
I loved Jim Carrey growing up and I was like “I want to do that one day!”. Also, sucking at rugby really makes you find something else that you are good at!
How do you like to spend your time away from your career?
Playing bowls I find super relaxing and, like I said, I am quite the bowler. Not that it is so away from my career, because I get a lot of material from those people!
What are some of your favourite comedians and comedy shows to watch?
Honestly, I just love watching my peers. Seeing what other people on my level are doing and hanging out with them at the late night venues at comedy festivals and chatting comedy! If your peers are doing amazing things, it is only natural that they will drag you up along with them. And we all need all the dragging along we can get!
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