Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Shaping up for winter
just how crazy it gets inside this head of mine. I’ve always wanted to do that. I love stories: where they can go and how you can inform those stories, truthful, weird and crazy funny stories, an ensemble of characters played all by myself and music written and composed by me, with some being arranged on stage in front of you.”
The Jive Cape Town Funny Festival features international specialty acts and a line-up of South African stand- up comics which includes Marc Lottering, Loyiso Madinga, Daniel Mpilo Richards and Mel Jones. Alan Committie is emcee.
Two new specialty acts – not seen before on the festival – are comedic magicians/ illusionists Paul Dabek and Captain Frodo.
Dabek, from the UK, has been a hit of the Edinburgh Festival and was a sensation at the Adelaide Fringe earlier this year. He took two shows to the Adelaide: Mischief and his award-winning children’s show, The I Hate Kids Show.
Festival producer Eddy Cassar said: “I saw Paul perform over the last two years at the Edinburgh Fringe. He is wonderful. In minutes he has the audience in the palm of his hand. His magic is great and he ends his Mischief show with a three-minute insert which will take your breath away. He wants to put his kid’s show on while he’s here – maybe once or twice. Let’s see what happens.”
Captain Frodo is a Norwegian contortionist who lives in Australia. Born double-jointed, he is known as The Rubber Man and does weird things with his body.
Cassar was captivated when he saw him perform last year in London at La Soiree – a variety show. “The show won the Laurence Oliver Award for best entertainment show. He is a sensational contortionist who has blended his talent with comedy.”
At the National Arts Festival, acclaimed UK comic Stephen K Amos performs his new show, World Famous, on the opening weekend, July 2 and 3. The Pretend Men – a company from the UK – present physical comedy in Police Cops. This show sold out at last year’s Cape Town Fringe.
The Very Big Comedy Show on July 5 is produced and emceed by Rob van Vuuren and will include Loyiso Gola, Tats Nkonzo, Mojak Lehoko, Alan Committie, Louise Reay, Nik Rabinowitz and Virgil Prins.
Tickets for iChameleon are R120. Tickets for the Jive Cape Town Funny Festival are R190 with substantial discounts for block bookings. Book at www. computicket. com/0861 9158000 for both. For bookings at the National Arts Festival, see www.nationalartsfestival.co.za.