With 13 acts in the first half and 12 in the second, it was a jam-packed evening of applause, one-liners, body-shaking laughter and the occasional cringe-worthy moment as some newcomers knocked it out the park while others were simply knocked out.

Each year the event sees more applicants than before, with 39 newcomers registered in the category this year. Only those who haven’t performed at the showcase before get an opportunity to be on stage, but if the numbers continue to grow there will have to be two showcase sessions next year to accommodate them all. 

Trending on Twitter throughout the night, the audience took to social media to show their support for the young talent on stage as well as the MC who totally killed it, Loyiso Gola.

Two things really stood out this year: there were more vernacular comedians than ever before (complete with Xhosa clicks and an Indian-vernac songstress) and an exciting rise in female talent.

Hailing from all over South Africa, Savanna flew the newcomers in (some of whom had never been on a plane before), put them up at the Protea Hotel Fire & Ice Melrose Arch and gave them an experience that they’ll never forget. Being part of the audience was one thing, but chilling in the green room with your new fellow-comedian friends and all the established comics who came out to support the event was where things got really special. Roni Modimola, Mashabela Galane, Donovan and Jason Goliath, Robby Collins, Sifiso Nene, Dillan Oliphant, Yaaseen Barnes, Mojak, Ndumiso Lindi, Nina Hastie and Pule were just some of the industry heavyweights that the newcomers got to hang out with.

The party kicked off at 14:30 with music from Kaya 95.9 FM’s duo Rhythm Sessions’ Edsoul & Fang DaRhythm, a shisa nyama to feed the masses and complimentary Savannas. Adding to the vibe were Vuzu TV’s crew who captured the essence of the day along with Johannesburg’s top press.

Produced by John Vlismas and Taffia Keight of Whacked, keep an eye on social media for when the show will air on VUZU AMP.

Big thanks to Savanna Premium Cider, Kaya FM 95.9, Sunday World and VUZU AMP for helping to put this event on the map.

Want to see who’ll win? Get your tickets here for the awards event on Saturday, 3 September at the Teatro at Montecasino.

For more information, visit www.comicschoice.com. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook or on Twitter.