admin
Langalakhe Mabena
On a verge to cultivating and promoting the culture of clean comedy, KwaNtuthu Comedy Festival has partnered with Cotton Lounge/King’s Kraal as the leisure spot will be hosting “Cotton Lounge Stand-Up Comedy nights” two times a month.
The initiative aims at giving young, up and coming comedians an opportunity to showcase their craft, encouraging them to present family friendly content on their set pieces, as the target market on these shows is everyone who loves comedy, particularly families.
Dumisani “MaForty” Ndlovu who is the director of KwaNtuthu Comedy Festival, who is also the brains behind the Cotton Lounge comedy gigs, said the events are aimed at audience growth, getting new stand-up comedians and improving the craft for the existing ones.
He also revealed that the gigs are open to any stand-up comedian but the content has to be family friendly, for all ages.
“The idea of these comedy nights was born while I was in Zambia for a performance. On my tour, I got a chance to attend a comedy night. While I was watching the performances, I thought to myself, why not have such a platform, free for the audience and good for craft development.
“When I returned to the country I reached out to the Cotton Lounge manager immediately and we arranged for a meeting which we realised we are both on the same side leading to the birth of these comedy nights that takes place two times a month,” said MaForty.
The first edition of the comedy nights took place on 15 February and it featured the reigning Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards (RoilBAA) Outstanding Comedian Mbongeni Ignatius, as well as upcoming comedians D’juni and Blessings.
The second gig took place on 29 February and it was headlined by Harare based comedians Tinoe, Ace and Tinashe.
The host MaForty, said so far they have been receiving massive support as the turn out on the shows have been amazing.
“Support from comedy lovers has been amazing. In terms of sponsorship and partnership, at the moment it’s just us and the Cotton Lounge team, but hopefully soon we will have more support from willing partners.
“We are satisfied with the two events we hosted in February. As of March, we are yet to have dates for the shows. We are looking forward to hosting Doc Vikela and the team in April, after hosting Nigel the Slick Pastor and King Kandoro,” said MaForty.
Online Reporter