Dalin Oliver’s 90 Day Comedian Celebrates the Funny Side of South Africaness

Award-winning South African comedian Dalin Oliver is bringing the laughs for his latest show, 90 Day Comedian, running at Theatre on the Square from 1 to 5 October 2024. Dalin is back from a whirlwind 6-country, 13-city tour across Europe and the UK, and he’s gearing up for a national tour in Durban, Paarl, East London, Gqeberha, and Cape Town.

This 75-minute laughter-filled journey explores identity, cultural politics, and what it means to be proudly South African in a world that knows little about our nation’s rich diversity and history.

“I love everything about Johannesburg— the people, the energy, and the vibe,” says Dalin ahead of his tour. “I wrapped up my last South African show here, so it felt right to kick things off in Jo’burg and then end it in my hometown of Cape Town.”

The comedy genius of 90 Day Comedian

90 Day Comedian is a hilarious take on life, travel, and the world’s perception of South Africa has struck a chord with audiences abroad and will be performed for the first time in the country. “Performing internationally has been an incredible experience, but there’s nothing like performing for South Africans,” explains Dalin. “This show is a celebration of our culture, our quirks, and everything that makes us unique.”

“The creative process for 90 Day Comedian started in 2023 when I spent two months performing across Australia,” says Dalin. “At first, I only had a title because I had to submit something to the festival I applied to perform at in Melbourne. The title was inspired by my 90-day work visa. During that period, I was exposed to different cultures, new places, and how different audiences react to comedy.”

He also notes that 90 Day Comedian is a coming-of-age story for him as a performer. “Before last year, I had very little international experience and only performed in Namibia and Canada, where I did shows in Windhoek and Toronto. I hadn’t fully experienced the international stage in a way that pushed me to grow as a comedian. This show is about those experiences, both on and off stage.”

“Performing in 18 cities and 7 countries over the past year has really shaped the show,” Oliver continues. “As always, I drew inspiration from South Africans, and travelling made me appreciate just how special we are. The world needs more South Africans to teach them how to be ‘lekker.'”