The Jive Cape Town Funny Festival finds itself on the cusp of change this year. What started way back by Eddy Cassar in 1997, as a celebration of freedom of expression and of the new artform of stand-up comedy, the project experienced change in 2005 with the introduction of variety acts to the bill. Interspersed with local and international comedians, the project experienced a new life and growth.
Over the passing years, as the local comedy industry grew, international comedians were dropped from the bill and replaced with vibrant local artists, like Marc Lottering, Riaad Moosa, Trevor Noah, Nik Rabinowitz, KG Mokgadi, Stuart Taylor, Siv Ngesi, Conrad Koch, Kurt Schoonraad, Dalin Oliver, Yaaseen Barnes, and others.
The variety acts were drawn from the famous UK travelling cabaret shows and the global circus phenomena, Cirque du Soleil and Circus Oz. Year after year, the Funny Festival showcases some of the best variety acts on the global circuit.
This year the Funny Festival’s third metamorphosis is to be introduced. Music lives large in Cape Town’s DNA and the Funny Festival will showcase the best of the artform. Enter musical director Sean de Vries, the man behind many local musical projects and an expert on the music of Cape Town.
Gone is the canned music introducing the acts to the audience and in comes Sean de Vries and the Funny Festival Band. Expect the music of The Flats, the community, Table Bay, and of Cape Town’s heritage.
The international acts also reflect the theme of music. Mike Woodhams from London recently made it to the finals of Britain’s Got Talent with his bone chilling impersonations of top international singers, like James Blunt, Gabrielle, Sher, Elton John and many others. It needs to be seen to be believed.
Music is the backbone of Italian Matteo Fraziano’s act as he takes the audience through his routine of shadow finger puppetry to the music of the stars. And Dani Airhead’s balloon act to the music of Elvis Presly, culminates in a major surprise.
The Jive Cape Town Funny Festival runs at The Baxter Theatre from 28 May – 21 June. Book through Webtickets.
ENDS.
Eddy Cassar
0824503151