HEAD FOR LONDON
OVER the next fortnight, posters of Marc Lottering, Alan Committie and other leading Cape Town comics can be seen in Leicester Square, London. South Africans passing through the West End theatre hub will do so with a smile on their faces and a spring in their steps.
Why? Because the Cape Town Funny Festival, which ran to full houses for a month at the Baxter Theatre in July and August, opens at London’s Leicester Square Theatre for three nights – September 29 to October 1.
The project is made possible by Wesgro.
The Cape Town Funny Festival in London, now in its fourth year has been given a vote of confidence by its move from South West London into the West End. Not only does the move instil confidence, but the show has been given a 7pm start time by the theatre owners.
Leicester Square Theatre is the home of the UK comedy industry, having showcased great comics of yesteryear and present megastars who return to test new material at the theatre before venturing off of world tours. Peter Sellers, Dudley Moore, Billy Connolly, Eddie Izzard, Michael McIntyre have all “played” the theatre.
“The backstage dressing rooms and passages are tiny and belie the important folk who have passed through them”, says Funny Festival founder Eddy Cassar. “The scribbles on the walls and loo doors are important memorabilia of legends that have graced the West End stage. Playing on the same stage is a bit surreal.”
The Cape Town Funny Festival in London also showcases Dylan Skews, Mark Palmer, Rob van Vuuren and Daniel Mpilo Richards. The show is hosted by Committie.
Known as the home of comedy in the UK, the theatre draws its audience from London’s comedy lovers and its huge database of supporters.
Interspersed with ex-pats who thrive on their annual dose of local comedy, the three shows are usually heavily booked.
“Seeing Marc and Alan swamped after the show is heartening,” says Cassar. “Everyone wants a selfie with them.”
Each patron finds a “Love Cape Town” hessian bag on their seat, with a Cape Town Tourist book in it.