He wasn’t born Craig Mischief. He started out in the world as Craig Alan Wiblin. Growing up, he always had a natural element of being the entertainer and making people laugh. He took part in every play or variety concert that came his way and after leaving school, he did his two years national service in the military band playing bass.

Craig’s parents tried to convince him that entertainment was not a good career and that he should join a government or municipal institution and thereby having a secure ‘lifelong job’. He then worked as a toolmaker, before a career change into the hospitality industry, where he worked as a restaurant manager at the Sandton Sun in Johannesburg. All the while, Craig continued to entertain in his spare time!

Until one morning in 1990, Craig made the bold decision of giving 24 hours notice and resigned. He had no money, no car (only a bike) and no equipment. He had no gigs booked nor a home phone to book any gigs either (and there were no cellphones in those days!).

First off, he joined up with a karaoke outfit, adding a touch of comedy to their karaoke show, becoming SA’s only ‘comedy karaoke’. By 1994, Craig decided that it was time to toss the karaoke and go live! This was when ‘White Mischief’ was born, a three piece comedy dance band that became immensely popular around South Africa in the mid 90s.

But Craig’s ultimate dream was to become a solo entertainer, a stand-up comedian, vocalist and MC! It was 1997 that Craig Mischief was born - creating his mix of comedy, vocals and impersonations.

Craig has had a very colourful solo career over the years, from corporate events to stand up and recordings of shows and TV appearances on SABC’s Chuckle and Chat, Entertainment Africa and the Weakest Link.  From 2007 to 2008, Craig also presented his own breakfast show on local radio station BayFm in Port Elizabeth.

In the prime of his comedy career at 43, Craig has been doing lots of corporate work and is looking to bring his brand of funny business to the UK next.

GETTING UP TO MISCHIEF

This morning I was woken at 4am with a knock at the door. I opened to find a very drunk man standing there, asking “Can you please give me a push?”

I told him that he is mad and needed to sober up, and closed the door.

On telling my wife the story, she made me feel bad and asked, “What if it was you that was stuck in the early hours of the morning? Help the poor guy, so what if he is drunk?”

I opened the door again and called out, “Are you still there, do you still need a push?”

A drunken voice came out of the darkness, “Yesh pleeesh!”

“Where are you?” I asked.

He replied, “Out here, sitting on the swing!”