Kurt Schoonraad brings Funny Side Up to Johannesburg

Kurt Schoonraad is heading back to Johannesburg. After recent shows in Cape Town and Gqeberha, the comedian returns to the city with his one-man show, Funny Side Up, for a single night at The Capital Empire in Sandton on Friday, 11 September 2026.

Schoonraad has built a career out of turning everyday South African life, family, relationships, getting older, social habits and the general chaos of it all, into material audiences recognise instantly. Funny Side Up continues in that vein.

Holding on to a sense of humour

Picture: Supplied

Schoonraad’s comedy is observational and distinctly local, with stories that tend to land because they’re familiar. ‘Funny Side Up is really about holding onto your sense of humour no matter what life throws at you,’ says Schoonraad. ‘Sometimes you just need to forget your problems for a while, have a laugh and enjoy yourself.’

Those who have seen him perform before can expect the same energy, with new material and observations drawn from shared experience.

Decades on South Africa’s comedy stages

Schoonraad has been part of the local comedy scene for decades, working across stand-up, television, film and theatre. Born in District Six and raised in Mitchells Plain, his South African perspective has shaped his comedy throughout.

He has shared stages with international names including John Cleese, Russell Peters and Pauly Shore, and in 1997 founded the Cape Town Comedy Club, later recognised as one of the Top 10 Comedy Clubs in the world.

Whether audiences have followed his career for years or are catching him live for the first time, Funny Side Up offers a night of relatable stories and sharp observations, reason enough to get a group together for a night out.

Picture: Supplied

Details:

• Date: Friday, 11 September 2026
• Location: The Capital Empire, 177 Empire Pl, Sandhurst, Sandton, 2196
• Tickets: Quicket, from R180 per person