Loyiso Gola: Dude, Where's My Lion?

As he's announced on stage, we're informed that Loyiso Gola is a two-time Emmy Award nominee. While mention of these plaudits could be attributed to arrogance on his part, it's likely the comedian's sole intention was to put our minds at ease. "You're in good hands," he seems to be saying, "I know what I'm doing."

The obligatory audience interaction with which he opens his set seems to bear this out. His comfortable stage presence allows him to command the room even while maintaining a conversational tone. He's charmingly self-effacing when discussing the awkwardness of flyering, and reveals himself capable of wringing laughs from situations outwith his own control, latecomers and heckles among them. There's no doubting that Gola is a natural.

Disappointment abruptly sets in once the star enters the main body of his show. His subject matter—the irritations endured while checking in for flights—could hardly be more hackneyed, nor could many of his jokes themselves. Has asking travellers if they're terrorists ever caught anyone out, he wonders aloud, as though he's the first to have had this thought.

After some rote but well-delivered observations on the differences between the UK and his native South Africa, he reaches the nadir of his hour, abusing his status as a performer to punch down on the homeless, albeit in what he presumably thinks is a good-natured manner.

A compelling and gifted performer, it's a shame to find Gola resting on his laurels at this relatively early stage in his career.