Marc Lottering

My Fellow South Lottering

Marc Lottering goes digital with ‘My Fellow South Africans’

Cape Town comedian Marc Lottering has taken his characters digital and is sharing their lockdown stories via livestream until 20 June.

Marc Lottering

My Fellow South Lottering

During a time when COVID-19 has prevented physical social interaction, many theatre spaces have closed their doors. This has led to many artists looking at other means of performing, with stand-up comic Marc Lottering among them. 

In a lockdown interview with Cape arts specialist Robyn Cohen, Lottering addresses the notion of digital performance.

“As much as I’ve been resisting the idea of doing a live stream show it seems to be the new reality for now.  We are not sure when we will get to return to the theatres again as we did previously,” he said on The Cape Robyn.

“Many of my followers have said that they would love to see a show during this time. So here we are.”

Effortless digital performance

Although digital performance has implications, such as having to make the most out of performing to a camera, Marc executes this effortlessly.

I watched his show on opening night (from the comfort of my own home) and found myself being drawn in completely – it was as though nothing had changed. I could not stop laughing.

The performance humorously tackles the tension, anticipation and realisation surrounding South Africa’s lockdown and has much relatable content.

Your favourite Lottering characters of course make a special appearance in My Fellow South Africans as they share their life in lockdown.

There’s Aunty Merle, the housewife from Belgravia Road in Athlone, and Colleen, the cashier from hell. And don’t forget Smiley the “taxi gaartjie”.

First sign language show

Lottering also announced on Facebook that for the first time ever, his show will feature a South African sign language interpreter.

The two sign language interpreters are Jabaar Cassiem Mohamed and Armand Kleinchmidt.

Jabaar “JB” Media posted a note of appreciation on Facebook.

“Enjoy the show and thank Marc Lottering for providing accessibility for our deaf community,” they wrote.

Acoustic Element in the mix

In addition, talented Cape Town duo Acoustic Element is part of the opening act. Cousins Callen Petersen plays the violin and Jody Abel plays guitar and beatboxes.

As Marc says in My Fellow South Africans: “This is the new normal”.

If you need 50 minutes of relaxation and laughs, I can highly recommend this livestream performance for the entire family.

Tickets are R70, on sale at Quicket. My Fellow South Africans first aired on Saturday, 13 June at 19:30 and ends on 20 June.