Lady D back with a bang!

24 Jun, 2018 - 00:06 0 Views
Lady D back with a bang! Diana Nomsa

The Sunday News

Diana Nomsa

Diana Nomsa

BULAWAYO’S first female comedian, Diana Nomsa, affectionately known as Lady D or Miss D is set to make a comeback to the stage with fresh material, after taking a two- year sabbatical.

Sunday Life reporter, Judith Phiri (JP), last week caught up with the vibrant comedian, who said she intended to change her style to suit even family events. Below are exerts of the interview:

JP: Who is Lady D the comedian?

Miss D: My name is Nomsa Diana. I started doing stand-up comedy in 2013 with Umahlekisa Comedy Club. I was the first female to do stand-up here in Zimbabwe.

JP: How was it back then doing comedy?

Miss D: It was nice, but there were challenges here and there. Generally, l loved everything about stand-up comedy.

JP: Can you give a highlight of some of your memorable performances

Miss D: I performed at Hifa 2016  at the closing event, I was the highlight of the event in Harare. I also performed at the Beitbridge festival under Nkululeko Nkala in 2016 again. Those were the major gigs that l did. The rest of the shows  I did Umahlekisa Club here in Bulawayo. Last year l performed under Bus StopTV in July for comedy.

JP: Why have you been quiet as of late?

Miss D: I missed a show with Umahlekisa and l was put under disciplinary action so l haven’t been performing. You know how this industry is you have to be serious.

JP: During your absence what were you up to?

Miss D:  But then now I’m back and during my absence I acted a small part in a film directed by Philani Nyoni called I love you Nikita.  I’m doing another part for a film called Burning Altars which is a film by Meluleki Maphosa which is going to be screened under Amazon TV, that’s the bigger part that I have got and it’s more challenging but it’s nice.

JP: So you are in both fields, film and comedy?

Miss D: Initially, I did film and l know film but stand-up comedy is like a calling to me, it’s what I love to do. As a comedian l love to lighten up moments.

JP: What are some of the challenges you have faced as a female in this industry?

Miss D:  There hasn’t been much because since it’s a male dominated industry I have always been spoiled by the guys because they tend to be a bit soft on me. And even the crowd is more accommodating of me than they are with the guys. I have seen them being hard on the guys but with me it a bit soft. The major challenge for me is being a mother, comedian, woman and an artiste all at once.

JP: What can fans expect from you?

Miss D: Mature comedy, because when I started I was doing more of the same thing repeating the same topic. More or less the same thing growing from it I’m still working on that one. Right now I’m promising new things to the crowd. Clean comedy, clean jokes, because I have always had a problem with the crowd, they don’t want rude jokes that are too explicit. But then now I’m doing new jokes because my son (17) is finishing school soon and l would love him to be part of the crowd/ audience sometimes and  to have a set whereby he can listen to and be able to like it.  I have material that l don’t mind him listening to and I don’t mind my mother, younger sister listening to. That’s what are have been working on during my absence from the stage, growing as an artiste.

JP: How has been the comedy journey for you?

Miss D: When you start performing and you have friends from the industry people that you meet through your work you get overwhelmed by that attention, sometimes you lose your way. So right now I’m grasping what I have and I’m claiming what is mine, and I want to work with what I have, that’s what is God given and push it further.

JP: What are some of the names in the industry you have worked with?

Miss D: Controversial cow, Clive Chigubhu. Thando Van Moyo who has always been my mentor. Boss Keda who is currently helping me with my write ups. Q (formerly known as Q the boss) helps me here and there. And others too because in the comedy industry we are like a family we help each other out so whenever I have got something I’m not sure about I always contact someone and say what do you think about this, that’s how it is but mainly those are the guys who respect me.

JP: When can the fans expect to see you?

Miss D: I’m going to perform last week of July under Umahlekisa at Vista.

JP: What advise can you give upcoming comedians?

Miss D: It’s not easy being funny and the industry is not as easy as it seems. Yes, people are loving and very accommodating but it can also be tough because writing and creativity is not something you just wake up having, you work on it. Discipline is one of the most important things that l have learnt in my career as a comedian. If you lack discipline it affects your career and affects your growth and work. So if you are a disciplined artiste you can grow in this industry and your works also improve. That’s the major thing l would like an up-and-coming comedian to know.

JP: Any word of encouragement to those who are losing hope?

Miss D: If there are things that are bringing them down I wouldn’t know if it’s personal or work related. If it’s personal I always believe that don’t take your personal life to work. But if its work related we surround ourselves with people who understand what we do. So if whatever challenge you are facing if it has got something to do with your work you talk to your superiors they advise you. I’m not talking about the mafia (she laughs). Always seek guidance from those who have travelled the road before you, it helps.

@JudithPhiri

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