Comedy Night gives EL a small taste of the fest

WITH the National Arts Festival starting tomorrow, East London will also get a taste of some of the comics who will grace the City of Saints.

Comedy Night EL, on its second instalment at Wiseguys Bar and Grill, is a partnership between the establishment and entertainment company Splakavellis Management.

Comedy Night takes place on the last Wednesday of every month.

Splakavellis owner Sheree O’Brien said the response from the first event last month proved that East London was in need of a comedy club culture.

The show will see wellknown comic Tats Nkonzo hosting the event while Schalk Bezuidenhout and Loyiso Madinga will be the headlining acts with local comic Zimvo supporting.

East London’s own Nkonzo said he was looking forward to coming home.

“Comedy Night is already a culture in Johannesburg and I think it is a nice thing that East London is doing the same. This means that more comedians can come to East London,” he said, adding that a comedy culture was an exciting thing for both comedians and comedy lovers.

Nkonzo said the show would also give him and other comics an opportunity to grow their craft and audience.

“There are people who do not know that I do stand-up as well, people think I am just a presenter. I am also growing that base,” he said.

Nkonzo said he hoped people would support the initiative.

After tonight’s show, the three will go to Grahamstown for the National Arts Festival.

The Uyang’thanda Na presenter said it would be his first time taking a show to the festival.

“I am excited about this. It will be fun talking to people outside Johannesburg and I will also test the material to see if it’s really funny. This will be a challenge for me and I am looking forward to exploring,” Nkonzo said. Reflecting on the Mzansi Magic love show, Nkonzo said doing Uyang’ thanda Na has shown him that everybody out there is looking for love. The show sees people confessing their crushes on other people on national television.

“It is true when they say love is blind.

“The things people do are crazy,” he said.

Bezuidenhout said he was looking forward to performing in East London for the first time.

“People can look forward to a night of laughter. We have all been working on new shows and people will hear new and fresh material for us,” he said.

Tickets for the show cost R100 and will be available at the door. Doors open at 6pm and the show starts at 8pm. O’Brien urged people to get there early to secure their seats. For bookings, contact

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