Nando's Comedy Festivals are back

The annual trio of Nando's Comedy Festivals are back for 2011. They will start in Johannesburg on 22 July, before moving to Durban on 4 August and then on to Cape Town on 9 August, 2011.

Pablo Francisco

First up is the Nando's Jozi Comedy Festival at the Teatro at Montecasino from 22 to 31 July. Comedy fans can catch seven of the best straight-up stand-up acts on offer every night with two extra-spicy late-night shows added on Friday, 29 and Saturday, 30 July. You can catch the likes of Mark Curry (from Hangin' With Mr Cooper), Mark Eddie, Michael Loftus, Theo Von and Dave Thornton on one stage, every night.

The Nando's Durbs Comedy Festival will be hosted at the ICC from 4 to 6 August. This year's line-up will have international acts like Mark Curry Dave Thornton and Dan Cummins joined on stage by SA's Nik Rabinowitz.

The Nando's Cape Town Comedy Festival will be held at the Artscape Theatre. Catch Pablo Francisco (who headlined at the Jozi and Durbs Festivals in 2010), joined by the likes of Greg Behrendt (co-author of He's Just Not That Into You), Mark Eddie, Michael Loftus and Dan Cummins and many more.

Stand-up competitions

A favourite part of the festivals is the local stand-up competitions or "Graça Comedy Showdowns". See contestants fight it out regionally on stage during the "heats" with nothing more than their quick wit, a mike, and a burning desire to become the newest comedy hero of the festivals. The winners of each of these annual search for SA's new stand-up stars will get the chance to perform alongside the international comedy heavyweights for the duration of each festival run.

Bookings at www.computicket.com or any Computicket outlet.More information from www.comedyfestival.co.za

Nando's Jozi Comedy Festival

Dates: 22 to 31 July, 2011
Venue: The Teatro at Montecasino
Tickets: From R150 to R250
Cast:
* Mark Eddie
* Michael Loftus
* Dan Cummins
* Mark Curry
* Dave Thornton
* Theo Von
* Ndumiso Lindi
* Graça Showdown Winner (to be announced)

Nando's Durbs Comedy Festival

Dates: 4 to 6 August, 2011
Venue: ICC
Tickets: From R130 to R180
Cast:
* Mark Eddie
* Michael Loftus
* Dan Cummins
* Mark Curry
* Dave Thornton
* Nik Rabinowitz
* Graça Showdown Winner (to be announced

Nando's Cape Town Comedy Festival

Dates: 9 to 14 August, 2011
Venue: The Artscape Theatre
Tickets: From R150 - R200
Cast:
* Pablo Francisco
* Greg Behrendt
* Mark Eddie
* Michael Loftus
* Dan Cummins
* Ndumiso Lindi
* Graça Showdown Winner (to be announced)