Girls Killing it caught up with this fiesty young lady from South Africa Ms Lihle Lindzy Msimang who is the true definition of the saying that dynamite does come in small packages and can still pack a serious punch!
How did you get involved in standup comedy ? and for How Long ?
A friend of mine and I were watching Katt Williams during a lecture at varsity when he said to me "You can do stand up, I dare you to do this" at first I didn't take him seriously, but he kept persisting. At some point he even came up with a plan to have him, another friend and myself start a mini career in Comedy. We performed at school for talent shows, we called ourselves "No TV, No Sleep". Then one day we went to a comedy club and it was decided that whoever gets the most laughs, stays in the game. My first performance was at school in 2009 for a fundraising show we had organised, but since we were in school and I had to finish my studies, it was difficult to pursue comedy so I focused on what I was doing. In 2011, after graduating, I decided try it out and see where it takes me, and I haven't looked back since.
What was your first big break in the industry ?
My first big break came when I performed for the Nandos International Comedy Festival, alongside great American comedians such as Mark Curry and Pablo Francisco, the festival went all over the country which gave me an opportunity to not only work with these guys but also get to know them a little bit better. Mark and I still keep in touch after at least 3 years.
What bugs you the most backstage about Standup Comedy ?
Usually what bugs me, and other comedians, is not what happens amongst the comedians but with the organisers. Some people who organise comedy events don't fully understand comedy and how it works, so they do things that are "half-ass" by not keeping the acts informed on what is going on, but that is where education is key so more and more organisers organise comedy shows well . Either than that, as comedians we always try have a good time backstage, laugh about things, helps calm the nerves down
Do you think its harder or easier for women to get into Comedy ?
It's definitely harder to get into comedy as woman, not because the comedy industry is not welcoming of the female comic, but because woman face a battle of being the only one amongst a pool of males, when people think comedian, they immediately think male. Comedy is something that takes guts and I have found many woman believe they don't have enough guts to pull it off, whereas we do. There's also a misconception that women talk of one thing, and one thing only (such as periods, hair, make-up and boys) so some people become sceptical because of that, but women all over the world have proved that we are beyond our "gender stereotypes"
What is the biggest challenge you have faced / or face as a female stand up comedian ?
Having to constantly prove your "funny" more than a male comedian, this was especially when I was starting out. Sometimes people compare young female comics to the "greats" and if you're not doing what they are doing, people become disinterested which sees a lot of young female comedians falling into the same trap of being the typical "female comedian". But breaking boundaries and sticking to what I know, has made me stand a little bit more and receive love and support from people because of the "difference" I bring.
Being a woman do you find you are restricted in what you can and cannot say in your comedy sets ?
Female comedians feel restricted because of what society has said a female comedian should be, I once fell into this trap but came out of it when I realised that apart from being a female, I am a comedian and a human, therefore I experience things about life the same way a male would. I do not restrict myself into saying or talking about one thing (or rather that one thing all women are expected to talk about) because there are so many things to talk and make jokes about.
What do you love most about being a comedian ?
I love comedy because it brings joy to people, when people laugh and "feel" better it makes me happy. Comedy is about expression and sometimes we say things that people are thinking but feel like they can't express and for them to hear someone else express it shows them they are not alone. Comedians make comedy what they want it to be, express what they want to express and say what they want to say all in the name of fun and laughter.
What nuggets of wisdom would you give someone/ a woman wanting to go into standup comedy ?
I always say to women who want to dive into comedy, first thing is first remove "female" in front of "comedian", because men don't call themselves "male comedians", it's just comedian. Reason being, the word will somehow work its way to becoming your material and becoming all you talk about, which will then in turn force the stereotype. So to all you woman, ask yourself "Am I a comedian?" and take it from there!
A friend of mine and I were watching Katt Williams during a lecture at varsity when he said to me "You can do stand up, I dare you to do this" at first I didn't take him seriously, but he kept persisting. At some point he even came up with a plan to have him, another friend and myself start a mini career in Comedy. We performed at school for talent shows, we called ourselves "No TV, No Sleep". Then one day we went to a comedy club and it was decided that whoever gets the most laughs, stays in the game. My first performance was at school in 2009 for a fundraising show we had organised, but since we were in school and I had to finish my studies, it was difficult to pursue comedy so I focused on what I was doing. In 2011, after graduating, I decided try it out and see where it takes me, and I haven't looked back since.
What was your first big break in the industry ?
My first big break came when I performed for the Nandos International Comedy Festival, alongside great American comedians such as Mark Curry and Pablo Francisco, the festival went all over the country which gave me an opportunity to not only work with these guys but also get to know them a little bit better. Mark and I still keep in touch after at least 3 years.
What bugs you the most backstage about Standup Comedy ?
Usually what bugs me, and other comedians, is not what happens amongst the comedians but with the organisers. Some people who organise comedy events don't fully understand comedy and how it works, so they do things that are "half-ass" by not keeping the acts informed on what is going on, but that is where education is key so more and more organisers organise comedy shows well . Either than that, as comedians we always try have a good time backstage, laugh about things, helps calm the nerves down
Do you think its harder or easier for women to get into Comedy ?
It's definitely harder to get into comedy as woman, not because the comedy industry is not welcoming of the female comic, but because woman face a battle of being the only one amongst a pool of males, when people think comedian, they immediately think male. Comedy is something that takes guts and I have found many woman believe they don't have enough guts to pull it off, whereas we do. There's also a misconception that women talk of one thing, and one thing only (such as periods, hair, make-up and boys) so some people become sceptical because of that, but women all over the world have proved that we are beyond our "gender stereotypes"
What is the biggest challenge you have faced / or face as a female stand up comedian ?
Having to constantly prove your "funny" more than a male comedian, this was especially when I was starting out. Sometimes people compare young female comics to the "greats" and if you're not doing what they are doing, people become disinterested which sees a lot of young female comedians falling into the same trap of being the typical "female comedian". But breaking boundaries and sticking to what I know, has made me stand a little bit more and receive love and support from people because of the "difference" I bring.
Being a woman do you find you are restricted in what you can and cannot say in your comedy sets ?
Female comedians feel restricted because of what society has said a female comedian should be, I once fell into this trap but came out of it when I realised that apart from being a female, I am a comedian and a human, therefore I experience things about life the same way a male would. I do not restrict myself into saying or talking about one thing (or rather that one thing all women are expected to talk about) because there are so many things to talk and make jokes about.
What do you love most about being a comedian ?
I love comedy because it brings joy to people, when people laugh and "feel" better it makes me happy. Comedy is about expression and sometimes we say things that people are thinking but feel like they can't express and for them to hear someone else express it shows them they are not alone. Comedians make comedy what they want it to be, express what they want to express and say what they want to say all in the name of fun and laughter.
What nuggets of wisdom would you give someone/ a woman wanting to go into standup comedy ?
I always say to women who want to dive into comedy, first thing is first remove "female" in front of "comedian", because men don't call themselves "male comedians", it's just comedian. Reason being, the word will somehow work its way to becoming your material and becoming all you talk about, which will then in turn force the stereotype. So to all you woman, ask yourself "Am I a comedian?" and take it from there!