For many ordinary folk, A front-row seat at the theatre is usually out of their reach. It's an enviable place, often reserved for the upper crust just like the business-class section of an aeroplane.

These people are not only made to feel superior, but they get to arrive at the destination before the rest of us and, in the case of a stand-up comedy show, the best stage view is theirs.

For once, though, during the packed opening night of Canadian comedian Sugar Sammy's show Down with the Brown on Wednesday, I was grateful for my inconspicuous seat in the middle.

Poor front-rowers had to take it on the chin, with Sammy ripping them off about everything from their bad choice of partner, residence, occupation and dress sense, making complete fools out of them - in front of nearly 600 people.

Sammy has been voted the top stand-up comedian in his country for three years since 2004 and, having sat through his 80-minute set, it was clear why. He has sharp wit, good improvisational ability and most of his jokes are as current and topical as Valentine's Day.

Having only been here for four days, he's already discovered South Africa and knows more about the benefits of wearing a shower cap when having sex, "scum" from the Bluff, the culinary magic of the bunny chow and the omnipresence of HIV/Aids than some Durbanites.

In fact, he claims he will wear a condom throughout his stay in South Africa, even when he's on the stage.

Sammy's ability to instantly find humour from interaction with the audience has contributed to making him such a force.

He switches from his Canadian accent to draw on his Indian ancestry and impersonate all things Bollywood with ease.

His show is a no-holds-barred, laugh-a-minute affair. But those who are sensitive may findSammy a little too graphic. To have some funny-looking guy tell you that the woman sitting next to you is your sister, that you're sleeping with her and please to remove your hand from her crotch can be a bit jarring. But some found it funny.

Before Sammy took to the stage, the lanky Loyiso Gola was the curtain raiser. During the introduction Gola, who has emerged from the shadow of his Pure Monate cast mates David Kau and Kagiso Lediga, was referred to as one of South Africa's most promising acts.

Having seen him enthral the audience at the poorly-attended Let Durban Laugh comedy show late last year, he was in his element this time around, too, with his fresh take on what has become standard fodder for comedians: Indian and coloured people's perceived behaviour.

He offered a barbed take on coloured people and language; presented an outrageous solution to the Middle East conflict; and examined the effects of apartheid town planning and education (he reckons that since Tshabalala-Msimang is a product of Bantu education, white people have themselves to blame for her "beetroot" stance on HIV/Aids).

Gola had the crowd in stitches, laughing at themselves most of the time. Maybe it's time we acknowledged the man's talents and elevated him from "promising", to one of South Africa's best.

I wish he'd stayed longer than his half-hour.

I haven't figured out why the show is called Down with the Brown, unless it's a reference to the two comedians' skin colour, in which case I would rather call it Up with the Brown. It's a thoroughly enjoyable experience, but try to avoid the front row.

o Down with the Brown is at iZulu Theatre until March 4. Tickets range from R50 to R95. There are no Monday shows.