I feared I had been put in the‘has-been’ box so far as a comedy career was concerned...
Comedian Kojo Anim tells how his life has transformed since Simon Cowell pressed the golden buzzer for him on Britain’s Got Talent phone and everywhere I went I learned a big lesson in hindsight people were giving me their love and it turned out to be a blessing. and support. Missing that opportunity to change my life, the pain I felt when it ended, that kept me disciplined when I found comedy. I would never let an opportunity ever slip through my hands again.
From that, I was able to set up Kojo’s Comedy Fun House, which ran for eight years, with 300 people queueing up outside each week, packing it to the rafters.
What really made it big though was when (American comic) Dave Chapelle heard about the club. I called someone who had seen him and got them to put him on the phone. He just came down and performed.
People started talking about the Fun House and I was hearing from American comedians over in the UK who wanted to come down.
CALLOW REVISITS STAGE FAVOURITE
ACTOR, writer and director Simon Callow is behind a new translation of comedy favourite La Cage aux Folles [The Play].
The story of a nightclub owner and his drag artiste partner has already led to four films, such as The Birdcage with Robin Williams, and a Tony Award-winning musical. Simon says: “It is a great and brilliantly funny play about living the life you want to life.”
ERIC & ERN BACK ON STAGE
LEGENDARY comedy duo Morecambe and Wise are being brought back to life on stage by actors Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens, right.
Eric & Ern is touring across the country until May 29 and has the support of the families of the comedians. Jonty says: “I have been fascinated with Eric Morecambe for as long as I can remember. I took on his personality at school and it has never really left me. He was the funniest and loveliest for me. We both feel it a privilege to play Eric and Ernie.”