REFERENCE: Kimberley and Fouriesburg

We pass formidable gold mines like South Deep, where the cages drop 4km at speeds faster than gravity and, if you fell down a shaft, you could still be late for work. We skirt around Leeuwdoringstad without noticing, because there are no lions, no thorns and no flippin’ stad. We buy snacks in Bloemhof where the biltong shop is next door to the funeral parlour. And eventually rock up in Kimberley, asking for directions to The Big Hole so that we can film a quick insert before the show starts. Unfortunately, we’re told that it’s been closed for renovations. It has been that sort of a day. But it turns out that the hole still exists, just the road around it is declared unsafe… Have they seen the road to Joburg?

Our luck changed when we met The Rotary Club of Kimberley. Their organisation of the event was superb, the house was sold out, packing enthusiastic comedy fans into the venue and creating a fantastic atmosphere. Diamond geezers every one. The Klemp family accommodated us for the night and I defy anyone to find better food for a traveller. If you’re stopping overnight between Joburg and Cape Town, try Kimberley and stay at the Klemp’s B&B.

Next morning we head out for Fouriesburg, hugging the Lesotho border in the eastern Freezing State. This time the main features of the trek are the mielie fields (Insert your own corny joke here) and the snow on the mountains. As we get closer it becomes evident that the snow has gathered on the berg to avoid the cold in Fouriesburg. Actually, describing the place as cold doesn’t do it justice. Let’s just say that whenever I stepped outdoors my nipples were harder than a lesbian’s in Builders Warehouse.

Once again the audience made up for everything. I discovered that there had been a bit of controversy in the town, the show being advertised for adults only. This caused some people to stay away because they feared it might be pornographic and I suspect a few came because they hoped it might be pornographic. I trust both groups were disappointed. But the majority of Fouriesburg people were welcoming and charming, mixing a self-deprecatory sense of humour with a fierce pride in their part of the world. And it’s easy to understand why. The view from the lovely Camelroc Guest Farm is achingly beautiful and the hospitality made us stay longer than we’d planned.

For happy snaps of the trek, backstage preparation and audience at both shows, click here and feel free to comment.

So the Comedy Trek moves on. Next month we’re in… (Visit the sight again soon and I’ll tell you).

UPDATE:

My favourite comment about the Fouriesburg show came from Rene’ Paul Gosselin, a professional photographer who was in the audience. Some of his images appear in this blog.

“That was a great evening and appreciated by all. Especially those poorer than us who at least had a warm evening heated by the wood from the stolen stage!  Well done to Lucinda Hooley for the organization! J Thanks to all the Fouriesburgers who had the courage to pitch up and face the Dominee on Sunday.”

I agree. If it kept some people from freezing, then working without a stage was no trouble at all.
Thanks for the photos, Paul. And, of course, all credit to the amazing Ms. Hooley.