Mitchell’s Plain stand-up comedy lovers are in for a treat as Arlene Petersen, known on stage at That Comedy Chick, celebrates her fourth anniversary having people in stitches with her brand of humour at a local venue.
Arlene, 33, from Lavender Hill, celebrates her fourth anniversary as a comic tomorrow Tuesday November 29 with a performance at Las Vegas Lounge, in Westridge, at 8pm on Wednesday November 30.
Her career on stage started after losing her twin brother to gang violence six years ago.
“He was shot in front of my house. I always tell this story with a disclaimer because he was a gangster. He lived this life and we lost him to this life,” she said.
As a form of therapy, she realised that she could make people laugh even through her pain.
On Wednesday she debuts her first one-woman show called No Offence, which pays tribute to her life journey – the highs and lows of navigating life and career in a male-dominated industry.
“Half-way through my career I thought I had been ‘cancelled’ as a gig venue went awry and I started documenting my life experiences of using the bus to and from gigs at 9.30pm on social media,” she said.
She started garnering followers and fans, whom she calls her TikTok cousins, most of whom hail from Mitchell’s Plain.
“They are the main reason I will be performing in Mitchell’s Plain,” she said.
Her supporters had called for her performance on the Cape Flats, while she was on stage in Green Point and Sea Point.
She said people started recognising her on the streets and sending her money, which she used to buy her first car in July.
A month later she was called to the Comedy Central stage, in Sandton, Johannesburg, being the opening act and touring with headline comedian Jason Goliath.
“I have performed in Mitchell’s Plain before but this is me bringing my show to the stage,” she said.
Arlene also stars in Bloed Betaal 2, the sequel to action movie Bloed Betaal, which was produced and directed by Westridge resident Mark Matroos and released in 2020.
It was at the Westridge lounge and pub, where she rekindled her love for the venue, after being a patron there in her early 20s.
She wants to motivate fellow comics to never give up. “Even if you feel like your colleagues are not supporting you, there are brands watching you.
“You have to keep working hard and they will spot you and pay you for your work,” she said.
Tickets for No Offence on Wednesday are R150, which includes a meal. Call Kaylin Leigh Khan on 084 388 6036.