Barry Hilton returns to the Lyric

ALBERTON – It’s holiday time so there’s no better place to be in Johannesburg in December this year than experiencing Barry Hilton’s inimitable comedic flair!

This show gives audiences a peek inside the goings-on in his quirky head. Hilton has a delightful knack of finding the ludicrous and humorous in daily situations, turning what seems perfectly normal on its head to make us laugh at life.

“I just see things differently,” says Barry. “It’s not even as if I’m on the lookout for new material, it literally just jumps out at me. Every day, all day.”

Barry’s shows are unscripted, bursting with an electrifying mix-match of content. Lively retellings of recent observations and experiences together with the finest selection of older fan favourites and brand new material keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

So eclectic is the content that you could watch three or four shows in a row and no one will be exactly the same. “Travelling so extensively gives me heaps of new material and makes me focus on making my material accessible to as many people as possible,” says Barry.

With a track record of 30 years in comedy, Barry has raised the world’s laughter level considerably. A whirlwind, world-wide schedule last year saw him perform in Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau, Australia, Las Vegas, Seychelles, Namibia, Bahrain, Dubai and across Africa.

His February performance in Dubai saw him shortlisted alongside John Cleese for Best Comedy Act Dubai 2013. Shortly thereafter his industry peers recognised him with the Comics Choice Lifetime Achiever Award. Another spectacular highlight last year was being invited to perform at the world famous Harrah’s Improv in Las Vegas.

Humble as ever, Barry continues to draw capacity crowds to venues across Africa. He regularly features on Comedy Central Africa and has five signature DVDs to his name as well as two movies.

While not on the public stage, he last year filmed a pilot episode for a new SA sitcom, did dozens of radio adverts, recorded a television advert, tackled a record number of corporate gigs, worked on international cruise liners and celebrated his 30th year as a professional comedian. There is just no slowing down for this veteran comedian.

Says Barry about his return to one of his favourite venues, the Lyric Theatre; “I’ve worked on stages across the world this year, and yet the thrill of working in South Africa never subsides. The atmosphere at the Lyric is electric!”

He continues: “That’s why I chose to shoot my last DVD there (this year’s show will also be recorded) and also used it as the venue to welcome New Zealand comic Mike King to our country in 2012, before we did our five-city tour performing together. I’m so looking forward to my shows at the Lyric on December 19 and 20. Pull in my cousins!”

Be sure not to miss this unforgettable show for two nights only, at 20:30.

Tickets are R80 and can be booked at www.goldreefcity.co.za or by calling the Lyric Theatre box office 011 248 5000. Tickets can also be booked through all Computicket outlets.