BEING a comedian was not something Durban North resident Matthew Armstrong never dreamed of being.
However, for the last two and a half years, the quirky 29-year-old has been making waves in the Durban comedy scene, haven been given his first break by two time Comedy Show winner, Carvin Goldstone.
In fact, Armstrong said during a recent catch up with the Northglen News, he had been bitten by the comedy bug rather by accident.
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“My friend and cousin, Tom was keen on going to a comedy workshop and asked me for a lift. He tempted me with the offer of free food and so I accepted,” he said.
“While I was there I figured I would take advantage of the opportunity and the next thing I knew I had been asked to open on The Next Comedy Generation show at the Jewish Centre – and it all just hit the races from there,” he said.
Since then the local funny-man, who has become known for his self-deprecating style, has performed at The Savanna Newcomers Showcase and The Savannah Comics Choice Awards as well as various promotional shows for The 031 Comedy Club and On Fire Comedy, rubbing shoulders with local comedy giants such as Neil Green, Kamz Govender, Troy Tesla and Donovan Steinbank.
His most memorable event, he said, was one that he had promoted himself, at the Horse and Hound Tavern.
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“It was such a huge risk. We didn’t know how it would turn out. There is so much that could have gone wrong, but it is definitely the one show I will remember 15 years down the line,” he said.
When asked what it was like preforming on stage, Armstrong said it was the worst and the best thing in the world.
“It incredibly nerve wrecking – as you can never predict how a crowd will react to your set, and then when you tell your first joke and they start laughing you get thus burst of joy and then the adrenaline just takes over,” he explained.
When the former Waterfall College learner is not making people laugh he is studying to be a teacher and is working on his dream of scriptwriting.
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