The Revelation of John Vlismas
JOBURG - Comedian makes biltong of sacred cows.
Topics of discussion spoken by many people with reverent, hushed voices were the very things harpooned at John Vlismas’ new show at Gold Reef City’s Lyric Theatre.
In Revelations: Sacred Cow Apocalypse, which ran on 23 and 24 May, Vlismas turned his sights on age, politics, prejudice, race, religion and sex — a real sense-of-humour litmus test.
The show opened with a performance by The Spinebenders, a trio featuring musicians on guitar, drums and double bass, before Vlismas launched into his side-splitting polemic against all things sacred.
The comedian spared no one, whether it was those who had appeared on Comedy Central roasts with him, rhinos, or Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp.
Even President Jacob Zuma — not in attendance — was given a private roast.
“The show’s technical design was… on a while new level of ‘Wow. That’s super-impressive’, with floating LED screens switching form one cool illustrative tattoo-like design to another, and colourful lighting posing a strong contrast to Vlismas’ dark material,” said show promoter Darryn Lee.
“But the level that best describes Vlismas’ routine and his audience’s receptiveness to it, is his level of understanding of what resonates best with his fans. Insight. reality, human truth… and the sheer balls to say it like it is.”
Follow John Vlismas on Twitter: @fortyshort
