After a hugely successful season at the Baxter Theatre last year, South African comedy favourite Kurt Schoonraad is bringing his hit one-man show Funny Side Up back to the stage, this time with a performance at Café Roux and then the Baxter Theatre.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Packed with fresh material, relatable stories and Kurt’s unmistakable style of observational humour, Funny Side Up promises audiences an evening of laughter, honesty and much-needed escapism. From the everyday chaos of South African life to relationships, social habits, ageing, pop culture and everything in between, the show takes familiar experiences and turns them into comedy that feels both personal and universal.
“Funny Side Up is really about holding onto your sense of humour no matter what life throws at you,” says Kurt. “People have been through a lot over the last few years, and sometimes laughter is the one thing that helps us breathe again. That’s what this show is about forgetting your problems for a while and just enjoying yourself.”
The return of the show feels especially meaningful for Kurt, whose history with the Baxter Theatre stretches back more than two decades. It was on the Baxter stage where he first performed his debut one-man show, Punchlines, helping establish stand-up comedy as a major part of Cape Town’s entertainment scene.
“The Baxter has always felt like home,” he says. “A lot of memories were made on that stage, and coming back with Funny Side Up again feels like a full-circle moment.”
Known for finding comedy in the ordinary, Kurt’s storytelling style continues to resonate with audiences across generations. His comedy doesn’t rely on gimmicks or trends, it comes from real life, sharp observations and the strange little things South Africans all recognise.
“I’ve always believed the funniest material comes from everyday life,” he explains. “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.”
Audiences attending this latest run can expect a show that feels updated and more personal, while still carrying the energy and unpredictability Kurt has become known for over the years.
“There’s definitely a more mature perspective now,” he says. “But I still enjoy being ridiculous when the moment calls for it. I think the balance works because people want honesty, but they also want to laugh properly.”
Over the course of his career, Kurt has become one of South Africa’s most respected comedic voices, performing alongside international comedy heavyweights including John Cleese, Russell Peters and Pauly Shore. He has also played a major role behind the scenes in developing local comedy talent through the Cape Town Comedy Club, which he founded in 1997.
Despite the evolution of comedy over the years, Kurt believes audiences are still looking for one simple thing, connection.
“People want to feel good again,” he says. “Comedy has always brought people together, especially in South Africa. We laugh differently here. There’s something uniquely South African about finding humour in difficult situations.”
Born in District Six and raised in Mitchell’s Plain, Cape Town remains central to Kurt’s identity and comedic voice. His grounded storytelling and local references continue to make audiences feel instantly at home, whether he’s performing in theatres, comedy clubs or at corporate events around the country.
With Funny Side Up returning for another run, audiences can expect an evening filled with sharp observations, spontaneous moments and the kind of laughter that stays with you long after the show ends.
“Come switch off for a bit,” Kurt says. “Leave the stress outside, put your feet up and just enjoy the ride.”
SHOW DETAILS
Funny Side Up – On The Road
WHERE: Café Roux – Noordhoek
WHEN: 12 June 2026
TICKETS: From R200
BOOK NOW via: https://www.caferoux.co.za/events/kurt-schoonraad-funny-side-up/
WHERE: The Baxter Theatre
WHEN: 22 – 27 June 2026
TICKETS: R180 – R220
BOOK NOW via Webtickets: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1593281953