While 2021 presented yet another year of challenges for the entertainment industry, local comedian Gilli Apter achieved one incredible career milestone.
The previous year saw Sandton’s resident comedian tour and perform for hundreds of local and international audiences with the Story Party comedy show across Europe.
“I performed in many different cities such as Berlin, Zurich, Riga, and Vienna, and in my own capacity in London at the mind-blowing Top Secret Comedy Club – which is not really such a big secret.”
She added that this was all in preparation for the shooting of a short Netflix special, Only Jokes Allowed, where she will be appearing in a six-part stand-up show alongside six of South African’s top comedy heavyweights.
While there are many shows like this on Netflix, this will be a first for South Africa. Not only is it a personal triumph for Apter but it is an enormous win for South African comedy, especially after the industry was left shattered by the pandemic.
“I am performing alongside my incredible friends in comedy – Celeste Ntuli, Nina Hastie, Robby Collins, Schalk Bezuidenhout and Mpho Popps.”
Only Jokes Allowed will be available on Netflix on February 9.
“I was very fortunate to have done all of this in 2021, and luck certainly played a hand but it’s important to note that it was also due to an incredible amount of determination, my non-stop hard work doing stand up and laying foundations over the last few years and maintaining great relationships with the people I’ve worked within the comedy world,” said Apter.
The comedian will also be going to be a number of shows in Johannesburg throughout the month of February, every Sunday (February 6, 13, 20 and 27) at the Bioscope at 44 Stanley, Braamfontein Werf.
Apter promises that, unlike the Netflix special, these shows will be longer, showcasing a variety of material.
“There is nothing like the experience of watching excellent live stand-up comedy. I promise you the most thrilling, fun, interesting night of your week!
Tickets are available from bit.ly/3u8oLQq
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