Breaking the Closet: Comedy Edition

Breaking the Closet is proud to present yet another iteration in our series! A fruity collection of comics, personalities and all around awesome LGBTQIA+ folk. As we listen to heartwarming (and often hilarious) stories from ‘behind the closet doors’ as well as sizzling anecdotes from life on the queer scene in Cape Town.

This production is a collaboration between Nicola Date and Eugene Mathews through their respective production companies; Compass Rose Collective and Comedy R Us SA. Breaking the Closet seeks to inspire, uplift and encourage those in the LGBTQIA+ community - as well as demystifying the coming out process for those who aren’t a part of the

community themselves.

Hosting our evening is an icon of gay comedy in the Mother City, Eugene Mathews. Eugene is no stranger to the stage, having etched himself into the concrete of South Africa's comedy scene. His work as co-presenter/producer of Bush Radio';s LGBTQIA+ show, The Salon, was awarded an EvH Pink Award in the Media category; the annual Cape Town Pride LGBTQIA+ Comedy Show that he curates is always a successful affair; his 'beat ignorance with excellence' approach to homophobia has yielded positive results; and his debut one-person comedy special, The Relaunch of Gina, has garnered rave reviews.

He is joined by another familiar face on the scene, Nicola Date. Hailing from Johannesburg, Nicola is a jack of all trades and lover of creative exploration. Her extensive experience spans events, theatre performance, design, PR, and copywriting. Nicola recently launched her new business, Compass Rose Collective, a creative collective, with co-owner Heine J.van As and is content production manager for a digital marketing company.

Saya Pierce-Jones, is an all-round powerhouse of the Cape Town media scene and is a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community. Saya is a passionate advocate for woman's rights and GBV prevention. When she's not seeking the truth, she can be found on stage as a hilarious stand-up comedian.

The ‘usual suspects’ are joined by a fabulously funny threesome of LGBT+ comics; Thato Mabelane is a master storyteller whose style of comedy is a blend of wit, personal experiences and observations of daily life. Descendant of the Jozi people but now CT resident. Fresh off the national arts festival where her solo special 3rd Generation Coconut premiered with outstanding reviews.

Carmen Williams is a writer from Cape Town who is passionate about social change and making people laugh. She lives with her partner and two cats while trying to pretend she's a proper adult. Rounding off our line-up is Brendon Roux, a queer individual occupying space through embracing the feminine.

Brendon studied journalism and fell in love with the power of words, after which he translated that power into comedy sharing stores, being vulnerable and hoping that humans learn through laughter.

Breaking the Closet is the brainchild of Nicola Date and Eugene Mathews, who felt that it was essential to create platform for LGBTQIA+ performers to share their stories and connect with audiences from all walks of life. Every show has been an incredible, safe, and poignant space, allowing our community to heal and celebrate. Whether you identify as heterosexual or you're a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, the stories are bound to be engaging, exciting, and sometimes hilarious.

This edition of Breaking the Closet will be taking place on Friday, 30 September 2022 at 7:00 pm, at LOVE KOS MOS. Tickets cost just R60 and can be bought at Quicket.co.za.

For more information, feel free to email [email protected] or call 0837146974.