Catch SA’s brightest comedy talent at the hilarious Savanna Newcomer Showcase
Be part of the audience as SA’s top comedians come out to watch this year’s up-and-coming comics battle it out for votes at the Savanna Newcomer Showcase on 6 May at the Soweto Theatre. As part of the build up to the Savanna CCA’s (Comics’ Choice Awards) that takes place in August, this unique comedy showcase kicks off a few months prior and sees all registered comedians in the newcomer category perform a few minutes of stand-up in front of SA’s finest. Why? So the comedy industry knows who to vote for, of course.
Voting opens on 25 April and closes on 22 June, so winners aren’t announced on the night, but that’s not the point is it? The point is for the comedy gurus to see them in action before they cast their vote, as this particular category is not open to the public to choose; it’s their peers who decide.
Between 20 and 30 budding hopefuls from across the country, each have five minutes to impress the audience and make them laugh more – and louder – than their comedic comrades. Last year’s inaugural showcase was electric, with routines ranging from hybrid-vernac and Afrikaans to upper-crust English. Schalk Bezuidenhout received a standing ovation and went on to win the award at the main event, so the heat is on for the newcomers to deliver the performance of their lives. The show lasts about two hours and you’re guaranteed a good time with pioneering stand-up legend Kagiso Lediga as MC.
“You can expect fast-paced, slick deliveries and plenty of improprieties,” comments John Vlismas, founder of the Savanna CCA’s. “The calibre of these beginners will astound you; their material’s fresh, sharp and downright rude but their topics are current and their routines are carried with well-timed wit. Of course there may be one or two newbies who bomb, but in a room full of comedians that’s almost as funny as the guys who are great.”
“We were inspired to create this developmental initiative to give the newcomers the opportunity to shine,” comments Liezl Dippenaar, marketing manager of Savanna. “Our aim is to be totally inclusive; every newcomer’s invited, we’ll even fly in the out-of-towners and put them up for the night. Ultimately, this is an intimate evening of diversity and world class comedy where the new guys get to hang out with the old guys. We’re proud to be associated with it.”
Watch the press and the Savanna CCA social media for the nominee announcement, which takes place on 25 June 2014.
The Savanna Newcomer Showcase takes place at the Soweto Theatre on Tuesday, 6 May, at 7pm for 8pm.
Tickets: Computicket (www.computicket.co.za) at R70.
Website: www.comicschoice.co.za
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sa.comics.choice.awards
Twitter: @ComicsChoice