BACKSTAGE: Tittering with Tumi

Tell us about your show 'HERstory'

It's basically a woman screaming in her soprano or alto about being in a male-dominated baritone industry. The name is obviously a play on the word history. I thought it was a fitting title because I'm a woman and this show is my first outing as a solo comic. The material is varied and not gender-specific - it's an extension of some ideas I've had for the last six years.

This is your first solo stand-up show. Why now?

It is time for people to see Tumi in full force at their own leisure. I'm usually on another person's line-up, performing for 20 minutes. I've been chatting to my fans through my performances and now they're finally going to get to know me better because were going to have a full-on conversation.

Do you see your humour as a gift?

Yes. It is my calling. Everyone has the ability to make the people in their lives laugh, but everyone can't go on stage and make strangers laugh. It is a beautiful thing, being able to make people laugh, especially when they are down. Some people go to extremes to be happy. Some buy drugs and spend thousands on therapy. Comedians can do it better and for a whole lot less.

From where do you think you got your sense of humour?

Both my dad and my late mom have a great sense of humour. My mom gave me her funny gene because she had a blunt sense of humour - how she saw it is how she called it. Like her, my jokes are bluntly honest. A lot people say I'm controversial.

When and why did you get into stand-up comedy?

I started doing comedy in 2006. I've been involved in theatre since high school and I guess I've been telling jokes on stage for years. I had been threatening to do stand-up for a while but only got the courage to do it once I was unemployed. I wrapped up a theatre production in 2006 and thought it was time to take the plunge.

You've been in the industry for six years. Would you say it has become more lucrative over the years?

Yes. If you told me then what I'd be earning now I'd probably laugh at you. The market is growing and funny is now serious business.

What pleases you more, applause or laughter?

Laughter. Hearing the audience laugh while I'm on stage is gratifying. I feed off that and it makes my performances better. Applause is also great. It is affirmation.

What's the difference between male and female comics?

I don't think there is a difference. Funny depends on the person, not gender. One of the funniest jokes I've ever heard about menstruation was from a guy. That's a women's issue, a topic most people would assume would be funnier from a female comic. I don't think there are any topics that women can make funny in a way that men can't and vice versa. A great comedian can make anything funny.

Are there any topics you will not joke about?

Jesus, in case he comes back. I don't want to be in the dog box.

How do you deal with it if you must write comedy material and you're just not feeling funny?

I walk away from it and make peace with it. Then I go live my life. That's what inspires jokes.

• Morake's 'HERstory' is on at The Lyric Theatre tomorrow. Tickets cost R125 per person and can be bought at Computicket. For more info call 011 248 5168 or visit www.goldreefcitycasino.co.za