Noah's Art

“It’s a fun show exploring everything,” South African comedian Trevor Noah begins, talking about his new show, Lost In Translation. “It’s not about language specifically, but the world that we live in and how confusing it can be.” A few of the topics Noah will be cracking wise about include the World Cup and, naturally, the Oscar Pistorius trial and the late Nelson Mandela.

Noah last performed in Australia early last year and had a sold-out season. “I had such a blast last time I was in Australia, and luckily I have the opportunity to come back.” Noah doesn’t seem to have a preference when it comes to performing solo shows or being part of a larger. “I like both. I like doing my own shows because it’s like being an artist having your own exhibition; you get to decide what the whole thing is about. On the other hand comedy is a really solitary profession, so it is wonderful to get to see the guys and perform with them. It’s almost like a camp, a comedy camp!” 

Noah will be in good company too, performing as part of Just For Laughs alongside Bill Bailey, Rhys Darby and Hannah Gadsby as well as good friend and comedic collaborator, Eddy Izzard.

Noah first met Izzard at the Comedy Store in London. Noah was completely unaware of Izzard’s global fame. They got chatting and kept in touch, Noah helping Izzard perform shows in South Africa, and Izzard in turn produced Noah’s show for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2012. For all that, it wasn’t until one day Noah was watching Ocean’s 11 that he realised exactly who his accidental mentor was. “This is one of the craziest stories of my life. It was a wonderful, organic relationship. We believe that comedy should go everywhere in the world. No culture, no language, no barrier should stand in its way.”

Popular topics for Noah’s comedy include race, culture, ethnicity and growing up during Apartheid. Interestingly, it was never Noah’s intention to focus his comedy around these topics. “It was actually Eddy who took me down that path,” Noah admits. “He asked my why I never talked about Apartheid or the world I grew up in. I thought no one would want to hear about it, it’s so depressing, but he said ‘That’s all I’d want to hear about, anyone can tell me random things, I want to hear about your world.’”

Anyone who has seen Noah knows of his uncanny ability to replicate any accent. Noah’s favourite impersonations include the Japanese and New York accent, but he admits he has some difficulty with others. “I mix up my Irish and my Scottish. I know one of them sounds like a pirate, but I forget which one it is. I do not mean to offend you in any way, I am trying to speak just like you, but I may sound like I’m trying to steal your ship.”