Fourways Gardens resident Don Packett is taking the comedy world by storm.
Packett said his journey into the world of comedy started after he attended a talk by South African comedian John Vlismas in 2008. Later that year he booked his first stand-up comedy gig.
He said, “I was so nervous the first time but I loved every single minute of it.”
Although Packett has been doing comedy for five years, he said he still gets nervous every time he does a gig. “I believe that you should never get cocky. If you’re excited and nervous you’ll step up to the plate at every gig that you do.”
Packett described himself as quite an introverted person especially when it came to engaging with a large group of people. “I’ve always preferred to introduce myself through public speaking,” he said. “On stage is my happy place.”
Packett added that above all a comedian had to be very smart. “A comedian has to find the funny in a story that might actually be tragic or bizarre, that takes a lot of intelligence.”
While Packett conceded that being a stand-up comedian was part natural ability, he also highlighted the hard work that went into comedy.
“I make tons of notes and build my comedy the way I would do a presentation. I also practise a lot before each gig.”
Packett said his pet peeve was when people people asked him to tell them a joke as soon as they found out he was a comedian. “If I just met an accountant I wouldn’t ask them to draw me up a spreadsheet.”
His next stand-up comedy gig will be at Parkers comedy club in Montecasino from 23-25 January next year.
