‘Puppet Guy’ makes light work of prickly subjects

HAVING only even seen Conrad Koch on television, this was my first exposure to the guy often mistakenly called Chester – apparently even ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe calls him “Chester” when he sees him.

Following Koch on Twitter or watching him on television, is one thing but, seeing him perform live just a few metres in front of you, is another.

He’s in your face literally – and figuratively – with far more profanity and insults to liven things up.

Koch kicked off with a rather naughty spot of hand-puppetry, extremely funny, before bringing on his prize puppet: Chester Missing. But Koch is a whole lot more than a “Puppet Guy”.

He’s also a brilliant script-writer as you will know if you follow him (or Chester) who, ouch, has more followers than he does) on Twitter.

I loved how he also uses this show to explain what ventriloquism is, because it’s clear many don’t really get what an art form it actually is.

The double international Emmy nominated comedian and award-winning ventriloquist, showed how convincing even a puppet made from two ostrich feather dusters and a old slipper can be.

But then, Koch is a professional right down to his toes, as shown by the glitteringly hilarious DJ Hoodie character.

He then stepped into live puppetry and made a palooka out of a couple of audience members – always a winning recipe and perhaps the absolute funniest part of the show.

“What do I talk about if I don’t talk about racism?” he asked at the start.

You do just what you did Conrad, because I almost cried with laughter.

Please come and visit Port Elizabeth soon. – Gillian McAinsh