In our Ask a Local series we chat to our favourite Joburg visitors and locals to bring you a different look at life in the city. This week Cape Town-based comedian Stuart Taylor, who is in town with his latest comedy show, shares his views on Joburg with us.
STUART TAYLOR is a Cape Town-based multi-award-winning comedian, storyteller and performer, best known as the former presenter of hit travel show, Going Nowhere Slowly. A three-time South African Comedy Magic Champion and regular visitor to Joburg, Stuart brings his critically acclaimed stand up show Funny You Should Say That to the Auto & General Theatre on the Square from Oct 23 – Nov 3.
What brought you to Joburg?
My latest one-man show, Funny You Should Say That is playing at the Auto & General Theatre on the Square in Sandton.
Favourite Joburg suburb?
I’m a big Greenside fan. It’s got cool cafes and cool vibes, it’s nice and central plus there’s some excellent ‘people watching’ to be done.
Favourite restaurant or cafe?
I love trying different spots as often as possible. For now, however, the steak at Cnr Cafe in Craighall Park is to die for!
Favourite after-work hangout?
I love the late afternoon vibe of Fourth Avenue in Parkhurst. I tend to meet one person for a drink and inevitably, it tuns into dinner with a different person I run into.
Favourite place to shop?
I love the convenience of Melrose Arch. You get some cool boutique spots mixed with trusted chain stores. It’s one-stop shopping made simple, plus the Goliath Comedy Club always opens its stage if I want to jump on to test some comedy material.
Favourite place to relax in the city?
I leave Joburg to relax! Joburg is strictly for work!
One thing no-one would expect to hear about Joburg?
It’s extremely green! If you look at it from a distance, there’s a hell of a lot of greenery in what some only see as a dusty part of the country.
The most underrated Joburg sight or experience?
The Market Theatre. It’s still one of the best places to watch awesome local productions.
Favourite Joburg person: Jason Goliath. His hustle and warmth embodies everything that makes Joburg my second home.
Three things a visitor should not leave Joburg without experiencing:
Braamfontein has a real charm about it. Its energy is contagious. There are so many great live comedy spots dotted all over Jozi, not just in traditional theatres, but in little pubs and restaurants too. Try to experience one of these nights. And hopefully my theatre show in Sandton!
On weekends you’ll find me … Probably working. It’s the curse of being a comic. My weekend starts on Monday morning. So over weekends, I try to squeeze in as many performances as possible.
Top tip for a first-time visitor to Joburg: Don’t be freaked out by the window washy guys [sic] at the robots!
Best things about Joburg: The people here all seem to have the same vibe – they’re all on the same hustling wavelength. It’s contagious.
Worst things about Joburg: Traffic!
Three words that describe this city… Energetic, Edgy, Alluring.
Follow Stuart on Instagram at @thestuarttaylor and check out his next shows or book a performance here.