In relatively no time at all, Robby Collins has risen from a lanky, long-limbed actor on the Durban theatre circuit, to an artist of high acclaim – not just a nation-touring comedian with his own one-man show but also an Emmy-nominated writer and feature film actor. The sincerity of Robby’s material is matched only by that of his stage presence. His is the kind of comedy that seeks out the funny in otherwise painful experiences. Robby has opened for Trevor Noah on all his one-man shows from Day Walker (2010) through to Nationwild (2014), performing to sold out audiences on the biggest South African stages. Trevor isn’t the only one to recognise Robby’s calibre either. Comedy powerhouses such as Marc Lottering, Eugene Khoza, John Vlismas and Kagiso Lediga have all called for him to be their opening act. Regular appearances at events like Blacks Only, Kings and Queens of Comedy and Comedy Central Live at Parkers culminated in the 2013 debut of Robby’s very own one-man show, That Bushman’s crazy, which won the Standard Bank Ovation Award at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival in 2014 after finding success across the rest of the country. With his success in the comedy arena, his role on local soapie, Rhythm City and his writing track record, it’s clear that Robby Collins has far surpassed the label of promising talent. He’s an established, multi-faceted, multi-talented entertainer. He’s on the up-and-up. And he’s here to stay.
