#INTHESPOTLIGHT: JOHN VLISMAS – COMEDIAN / MC AND BUSINESSMAN

John Vlismas is a Zimbabwean-born South African stand-up comedian and comedy promoter who is well known on the comedy circuit for his outspoken and observational humour and his ability to understand and comment on political, social and economic affairs.John won the first ever "Stand Up Of The Year Award" at the South African Comedy Awards in 2007, and went on to co-found the Comic's Choice Awards in 2011.He holds the rare distinction of being the only South African stand-up comic to have performed at The Royal Albert Hall, The Hammersmith Apollo, The Lyric Theatre - Shaftesbury Lane and The Best of The Fest showcases in both the Montreal and Melbourne Comedy Festivals.He has shared a line-up with Drew Carey, written dialogue for Jerry Springer and hosted Chris Rock at his club.He has written professionally for print, television, stage and radio and has appeared in and co-produced several South African films. He has worked as a television and radio presenter and was asked to perform for the 46664 "It's No Joke" series of concert shows.John has acted in several films as well, including Laugh Out Loud, Footskating 101 - The Movie, Slam-Bang, Outrageous and Crazy Monkey Presents... Straight Outta Benoni.He attended the Durban University of Technology, graduating in 1993 with a National Diploma in Drama. He is the director of Whacked Management and co-owner of Virus Communications and is also a qualified scuba diver.He was the first ever host of the Comedy Central series Comedy Central Presents... Live at Parker's, in 2012.In 2014 his comedy show Revelations was filmed for a special on Comedy Central