UK’s comic ventriloquist, Paul Zerdin, will headline the comedy on the Main programme, with Stewart Taylor as opening act. Credited as being ‘the man who has made ventriloquism cool’, Zerdin is widely considered to be one of the world’s leading practitioners. With a winning combination of charm; impeccable comic timing; and continual audience interaction, Zerdin‘s
Sponge Fest, which was a hit on the
Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2009, sees him bring to life three very different characters – the cheeky preadolescent, Sam; belligerent old age pensioner, Albert; and precocious infant, Baby, before finishing up with a human puppet finale that is guaranteed not to leave a dry eye in the house. His performance was a smash hit at the most recent
Royal Variety Performance in the UK, and he has numerous stage and TV credits under his belt.
A milestone at the
Fringe this year is the 21
st birthday of the popular Raiders’ series. Theatre for Africa celebrates this coming-of-age with the première of Raiders of the Lost Aardvark. The famous yellow tiger moth, The Aardvark, is back in the thick of the action with Salty Hepburn at the controls. Written by Nicholas Ellenbogen; Christopher Weare; and Luke Ellenbogen.
Other returning Fest favorites are Rob van Vuuren (as director for
The Best Man’s Speech;
Rumpsteak; and
Gary the Tooth Fairy, and performer in
Rob Van Vuuren Is Rob Van Vuuren and
The Most Amazing Show); David Newton (
Best of Fest;
Laugh; and
Politically Incorrect, as well as directing Siv Ngesi in
Dekaf); Mark Sampson (
Feels Funny and
Missing Links); Stuart Taylor (
Learner Husband); and James Cairns (
Dirt). Slick 'n Sleeve return with the third in their popular
Butlers series,
Butlers and Bridesmaids, where the audience decides what happens next, and the popular
Monkey Nuts, with Mathew Ribnick, is also back.
Tributes to legendary storytellers, Herman Charles Bosman and Patrick Mynhardt, have become a regular Fest institution.
A Teacher in the Bushveld with David Butler and
Bosman's Veld Maiden with Barbie Meyer continue in this vein.
Relationships and the dynamics of dating are always in the line of fire of comedians. This year is no exception, with shows like
Gods, Fate and a Librarian;
Yes!;
Of Cats and Dogs;
Boston Marriage;
Five Women Wearing the Same Dress by Alan Ball of
American Beauty fame;
Beyond Therapy;
Decadence;
Do You Come Here Often; and
Man Turn Life Up And Down.
Politicians; celebrities; and sports stars often hand ammunition to comedians on a silver platter.
Herebedesh by Melisizwe Community Theatre; Ben Voss’
Beauty Therapy; Mpho-Osei Tutu’s
Convincing Carlos; and a few others grab the opportunity to make light of issues in South African politics and society. Cultural peculiarities are exposed in
Kung Fu Crazy;
NATV Live in Grahamstown (première);
Super Gamat: Hie Kom U Ding!!! (première); and
Tokoloshe Come Again.
Other random ajoba-ness comedies at the Fest will include
Dr Stef's Sidesplitting Hypnosis;
High Diving;
Kaput! (première);
Little poof! A Homofabulous Show!;
No Fat Jokes (première);
Shaggy... (première);
The Web; and Profest Theatre’s
One Man’s Life with Eric Nobbs.
Live & Kicking is a nightly showcase of off-the-cuff comedy by favourite fringe comedians and others at the Scout Hall. Watch
CUE for the nightly line-up – don’t miss the special guests. Drinks available throughout!
There’s a whole lot more too – check out
www.nationalartsfestival.co.za for the full programme or pick up a copy of the Booking Kit / Programme at selected Exclusive Books and Standard Bank branches, and Computicket Outlets.
Call the Festival hot line for all enquiries – 046 603 1103. Follow it on Twitter @artsfestival or join the Facebook group:
facebook.com/nationalartsfestival.