One funny lady

We're big fans of South African comedy, so when we were given the chance to chat to one of the wittiest women in the country we jumped at the opportunity. It seems everything Geraldine Naidoo touches turns to gold; all three of her plays (The Chilli Boy, HOOT and Monkey Nuts) have been resounding successes - The Chilli Boy enjoyed a sold-out season on London's West End and HOOT briefly toured the Netherlands where the play received standing ovations. She's the winner of the Rosalie Van Der Gucht prize for Best New Director and Monkey Nuts has been given the Naledi Award for Best Comedy Performance. Oh! And she's married to Matthew Ribnick, the star of her shows, which makes us think she really does have it all.

We chatted to the writer, producer, director (and HR specialist at a global IT company, nogal) about her life and career.

FLY: Have you always wanted to go into drama? What made you decide to study it?

GN: I did take Speech and Drama as a subject in school but had absolutely no intention to study it further. I was registered to study Agricultural Engineering at Natal University (Pmb), however my family relocated to Johannesburg and I had not even applied to Wits University. Drama was one of the few courses that was still accepting registrations and that’s how I ended up in that faculty.

FLY: How do you manage working a corporate job and still find the time to write?

GN: It has been difficult and exhausting to manage both, hence Matthew (my husband) is the only performer as rehearsal times are often after hours, only starting at 9 or 10 pm. It is very rewarding though; when you see the audience’s appreciation for the show.

FLY: What is your favourite part of the creative process?

GN: The rehearsals, and watching the characters come to life.

FLY: What’s it like working with your husband?

GN: It can be difficult at times but we have an understanding and a great respect for each other’s opinion. We also can be brutally honest about our work without worrying about offending each other.

Geraldine's favourites:

• My husband, Matthew
• My friends

Geraldine's must-haves:

• chocolate
• tea
• her ghd

You can see The Chilli Boy at the Joburg Theatre until 6 November. Thereafter, you can catch Monkey Nuts at the same venue from 9 November - 4 December.