The stand-up comedian from South Africa and host of “The Daily Show,” Trevor Noah, is performing at UW.
“Scale of one to five, I will give him a 4.9,” Thushara Lankananda, UW alumni, said. “He is that funny.”
According to UW News, at the 2014 and 2015 MTV Africa Music Awards Noah was nominated for “Personality of the Year” and won in 2015. In 2016 he also released his first book, “Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood,” which became an instant New York Times bestseller.
Noah is considered to be the best comedian in Africa and is best known as the host of “The Daily Show.” The event is being put on by 7220 Entertainment and organized with the help of the Large-Scale Events Committee of the Campus Activities Center.
“I am very excited that UW could bring him here,” UW graduate student, Manish Bengani, said. “He is a rags to riches story by himself. As much as he makes the world laugh, he inspires everyone as well. I am sure I am going to have a great time.”
According to Trevor Noah’s personal website, he was born in South Africa at the time of apartheid in a family consisting of a black South African mother and a white European father, which was a crime. Despite the obstacles, he became a successful comedian.
“Noah has hosted numerous television shows including South Africa’s music, television and film awards, and two seasons of his own late-night talk show, Tonight with Trevor Noah,” according to Noah’s website.
“This would be my first opportunity to see him live,” Bengani said. “However, I have been forced to watch his gigs on YouTube and Netflix by my girlfriend, Payel, back in India. And I’ll not deny that I always enjoyed his perspective on social issues and his personality on stage.”
In his stand-up shows, he touches sensitive topics such as racism and inequality.
“Serious issues can be spoken about out loud,” Bengani said. “I love people who can make people laugh on it while still thinking deep. Trevor does that awesomely. He laughs at himself as often as he can and that doesn’t allow others to say that he is racist or bias. His topics have a variety too – intercultural, politics, or even about the neighbor.”
The show will be tonight at 8 p.m. in the Arts and Science Auditorium.
