LOCAL fans of stand-up comedy are in for a treat when the popular 99% Xhosa Comedy show returns to The Venue@Hemingways in East London on Thursday.
Some of the well-known comedians featured in this year’s show, include Tall A Mo and Chris Mapane, who stars in a film directed by funnyman, David Kau.
The show’s humble beginnings can be traced to Durban in 2006, where it started off as 99% Zulu Comedy. The show enjoyed much success because it was the first of its kind that offered stand-up comedy in an African language.
The show moved to Port Elizabeth in 2008 under the title 99% Xhosa Comedy, drawing hundreds of fans from as far afield as East London and Mthatha. East London hosted three events in 2009 and 2010 before taking a break from its Eastern Cape run.
The show returned last year to East London after a two-year break. Previously the show was held at the Orient Theatre, but organiser Monwabisi Grootboom said they had decided to move it to a different venue because of the technical difficulties they experienced at the previous one.
“Before we had a problem with the sound but now The Venue@Hemingways is specially built to host such shows and we will have better sound quality,” he said.
Grootboom said comedy lovers could expect to hear fresh material from the comedians. “A lot has happened in the country and the comedians are geared up for the event with their new material.”
Grootboom said the show would also see Mdantsane-born comedian Anele Shube and Port Elizabeth’s Mbulelo ‘Manylaugs” Msongelwa entertain the crowd.
It is Shube’s third time participating in the show – he has also featured in some of the local Soul Clap sessions at Mdanstane’s Endaweni.
Grootboom said they always tried to feature local artists from around the province.
“A couple of guys from the Eastern Cape did not have a stage before but now there is a platform for them to showcase their talent locally and nationally,” he said.
Grootboom said they would also include some of the 99% Xhosa comedians in their 99% Zulu Comedy later in the year.
This year they will host their first 99% Xhosa Comedy show in Cape Town.
Dispatch readers stand a chance to win 15 double tickets to the show this weekend. Entry forms are in the Dispatch and the competition closes tomorrow at 12pm.
Tickets are available at Computicket and Shoprite/Checkers for R150, and the show starts at 8pm.
Hemingways Casino marketing manager, Neville Austin urged people to book early for the event. —
EL ready for a big barrel of laughs
Some of the well-known comedians featured in this year’s show, include Tall A Mo and Chris Mapane, who stars in a film directed by funnyman, David Kau.
The show’s humble beginnings can be traced to Durban in 2006, where it started off as 99% Zulu Comedy. The show enjoyed much success because it was the first of its kind that offered stand-up comedy in an African language.
The show moved to Port Elizabeth in 2008 under the title 99% Xhosa Comedy, drawing hundreds of fans from as far afield as East London and Mthatha. East London hosted three events in 2009 and 2010 before taking a break from its Eastern Cape run.
The show returned last year to East London after a two-year break. Previously the show was held at the Orient Theatre, but organiser Monwabisi Grootboom said they had decided to move it to a different venue because of the technical difficulties they experienced at the previous one.
“Before we had a problem with the sound but now The Venue@Hemingways is specially built to host such shows and we will have better sound quality,” he said.
Grootboom said comedy lovers could expect to hear fresh material from the comedians. “A lot has happened in the country and the comedians are geared up for the event with their new material.”
Grootboom said the show would also see Mdantsane-born comedian Anele Shube and Port Elizabeth’s Mbulelo ‘Manylaugs” Msongelwa entertain the crowd.
It is Shube’s third time participating in the show – he has also featured in some of the local Soul Clap sessions at Mdanstane’s Endaweni.
Grootboom said they always tried to feature local artists from around the province.
“A couple of guys from the Eastern Cape did not have a stage before but now there is a platform for them to showcase their talent locally and nationally,” he said.
Grootboom said they would also include some of the 99% Xhosa comedians in their 99% Zulu Comedy later in the year.
This year they will host their first 99% Xhosa Comedy show in Cape Town.
Dispatch readers stand a chance to win 15 double tickets to the show this weekend. Entry forms are in the Dispatch and the competition closes tomorrow at 12pm.
Tickets are available at Computicket and Shoprite/Checkers for R150, and the show starts at 8pm.
Hemingways Casino marketing manager, Neville Austin urged people to book early for the event. —
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