International comedy festival moves to Joburg

Trevor Noah

The festival, which will run over seven days, will consist of an international stand up theatre show - the “UN Comedy Show”, international comedy short films - “Funny Shorts”, international street performers from Canada, the UK and Australia in “Street Comedy”; a local stand-up competition - “Comedy Showdown”, and the much-awaited Air Guitar Competition - “Hot-Air”.

International comedy icon

The UN Comedy Show will be hosted by international comedy icon Paul Rodriguez (Mexico/USA). Rodriguez's career spans more than two decades and includes starring roles and featured appearances in over 30 films such as “The Whoopee Boys”, “Ali” and “Crocodile Dundee” and countless television series and specials. He has performed live to well over one million concert goers and is considered to be the Richard Pryor of original comedy - with a Latin twist.

He will be joined on stage by comedy heavy weight Sugar Sammy (India/Canada) who has been voted the number one stand-up comedian for the last three years in Canada and who's performed to more than 10 000 fans during his previous tour to South Africa.

Comedy legend Carl Barron (Australia), allegedly the biggest-selling comic in Australia, and Paul Zerdin (England), who is considered one of the most versatile performers and ventriloquists of our time, will share the spotlight with funny man Frank Spadone (Italy/Canada) who performed his one-man show to sold-out crowds in Canada and the US, as well as Bobby Lee (Korea) who has garnered millions of fans through his comedy, film and television appearances. SA's rising star Trevor Noah will complete the 5-star line-up. The UN Comedy Show carries an age restriction of 16.

Funny Shorts

Funny Shorts, 90 minutes of the world's funniest short films, will take comedy to the screens at Montecasino's Nu Metro Cinema during the festival.

A cast of internationally acclaimed street performers will be showing Jozi crowds that laughter is indeed an international currency when they take comedy to the streets around The Montecasino Piazza for Street Comedy. Shows, with content suitable for all ages, will be between 30 to 40 minutes long and a total of 30 shows will be performed over the seven day period.

The Comedy Showdown will give the winner of the competition the chance to perform on stage with the international heavyweights on the closing night of the UN Comedy Show. John Vlismas and his team from Whacked Management will be running the preliminaries of the Comedy Showdowns at the Cool Runnings basement in Mellville.

Hot Air will be the ultimate Air Guitar Competition for Air Rock Gods. Taking it out of the bedroom and on to the stage at Montecasino, Hot Air will give wannabe rockers the chance to compete for the title in front of rock and comedy fans.

For more information, go to www.comedyfestival.co.za.