On the third of December 2024, Nathan Vuyo Levinrad and Chuma-Sande Bentele’s stand-up collective ‘That’s Not Funny’ celebrated its one-year anniversary with a killer show at Moveable Feast. For over a year, the two comedians have been making Cape Town laugh (for free, I might add) with their excellent stand-up collectives, highlighting the country’s most popular — as well as up-and-coming — comedians.

The birthday party was hosted at Cape Town’s beloved Moveable Feast, a recurring venue for the collective. With every chair occupied, some people were seated on the balcony, content with getting a glimpse of the incredible comedians. 

The founders and emcees of the night, Levinrad and Bentele, kicked off the show with hilarious crowd work, simultaneously and smoothly dismissing hecklers, only making everyone laugh even more.

One audience member took the brunt of the jokes: 

“You look like you run your dad’s AirBnB in Seapoint,” Levinrad joked. The audience member revealed he was on a first date, which did not spare him from being further made fun of. Another couple, on their second date, also found themselves to be a target, as he had taken her to a free comedy show and ordered her a glass of free tap water. They definitely had a serious chat in the car on the way home. 

It is clear why ‘That’s Not Funny’ has been so successful: The chemistry between the two founders is electric, continuously amping each other up while ragging the other off (“You look like a Jewish Ellen DeGeneres” – Bentele on Levinrad). Their set, despite being mostly improv and crowd-work, is fluid, unhesitating and quick.

It was my second time seeing Callum Hitchcock’s stand-up and it was even better than before. As the evening’s first performer — after the emcees, of course — he acutely managed to balance crowd work with his prepared material, riffing off jokes started in the opening set. Hitchcock’s humour often oscillates between self-deprecating and his utter adoration of his fiancée: a good balance, explaining why he is such a crowd favourite.

Definitely the show-stopper, Wesley Paulse brought the house down with an incredible set on ninjas and living in Rondebosch East, lacing his hilarious routine tastefully with socio-political critique. Khanyisa JamJam, with some interesting takes on store-bought chicken, only had hit after hit; Ngosa Kangwa and Mzonke Maloney had the audience in stitches. The headliner, Bexta Ndabalime ended the show with a bang, and left the audience wanting more.

But not to worry! ‘That’s Not Funny’ has a free show twice a week; Tuesdays at Moveable Feast, and Thursdays at Evol. A guaranteed two hours of belly-laughter, it is definitely a perfect way to spend the evening. One thing is for sure though; If you’re looking to test your relationship, your situationship or even that guy on Hinge, I definitely recommend taking them to a comedy night. The comedians on stage will read that guy to pieces.