MoMo Matsunyane is set to showcase her stand-up comedy performance, “I’m Momo And I Have Issues”, at the POPArt Centre, marking the first stand-up event at this venue.
The acclaimed actor and theatre director, recognized for her impactful shows like “UNLEARN” and “Ka Lebitso La Moya”, aims to engage the audience with her unique perspective.
In this new venture, she shares personal stories surrounding mental health, relationships, sexuality, and politics, including insights on growing up in a blended family with a prominent father.
“I decided to pen I’m MoMo And I Have Issues because I have a deep passion and love for comedy in general, and so I don’t necessarily think that this is far from what I would’ve naturally done.
“My play ‘UNLEARN’ inspired me to finally just do it because in it, I play a young stand-up comedian who lives with mental health,” Matsunyane explained.
“I think the show gave me the confidence to trust that I could do it if I stopped overwhelming myself with doubt. With this particular show, I wanted to explore my passion and love for stand-up comedy even further, but also share a more personal side to me, whilst provoking the audience with my outlandish views, you know?
“I think people know me through a particular rigid structure that exists in my work, so this is an opportunity for me to think of myself outside the boxes that I think I’ve created. I am exploring, I am playing, I’m discovering. This is just an opportunity for me to try. However, I’m still very much performing.”
The concept had been developing for nearly two years before she revisited it at the end of the previous year.
This left her with a tight schedule between finalizing the script and starting rehearsals for the performance.
She acknowledged, “It’s unfortunate that I only had two weeks to rehearse because I’m producing this show myself, but I’m not averse to the challenges of independent theatre making, and I will always fight for my work to live no matter the circumstances.”
In discussing her collaboration with Jefferson Tshabala, Matsunyane remarked: “Working with Jefferson has been amazing, challenging and scary. We are both very passionate about comedy, and I’m glad that this production has brought Jeff back into the theatre scene after a few years of a hiatus, even though he’s been writing and all of that over the years.
“He’s gentle and caring but also has very high expectations of me, as I do of him. We have known each other for a very, very, very long time, and we’ve worked together over the years, and so I think the project is meeting us at a great time in our careers when I am needing to be pushed, and for Jeff needing to be creatively pushed as well.
“I think the process is requiring us to both let go of our inhibitions and fears and encouraging us to experiment.”
As Valentine’s Day approaches, she shared what audiences can anticipate from the performance.
“I’m a huge fan of love, and so I’m super excited that the show is falling on what people consider a very big weekend for love. I am excited for couples because some of my material is about love and relationships, but most importantly, it explores what it means to have a deep sense of love for self.”
Where: POPArt Centre, Parkwood.
When: February 12 – 15, 7pm.
