Vodacom Funny Festival comment count

• News
• June 01, 2010 ∥
• By Roy Barford

The Baxter Theatre. Photo courtesy Danie van der Merwe

Victor Borge once said that “Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” And nowhere is this more apparent than in South African society today. In the past few weeks South Africans, faced with situations that could potentially have divided us, were united through our fantastic sense of humour. It all started with a certain Mr Visagie touching people on their studios and within hours South Africans collectively roared with laughter to the sound of musical remixes and downloaded YouTube re-edits while wearing t-shirts with matching slogans.

Then famous American actor, singer and comedian Wayne Brady got onto a Timeout Taxi, where he promptly changed into a pair of briefs while sporting a vuvuzela in the colours of the South African flag, and promised to step it up a notch when a world of comedy comes to Cape Town on June 7, 2010 for the Vodacom Funny Festival. 

The Sixth Annual Vodacom Funny Festival Cape Town’s premier comedy festival and the only comedy event to be awarded the Cape of Great Events insignia, will run at the Baxter Theatre from June 7 for five weeks until July 11, 2010. Better prepare for a hilarious night out and the perfect way to shake off the winter chill. If you need any further motivation to step out and laugh it off, think of the health benefits:

• Laughter reduces the level of stress hormones like cortisol, adrenaline and dopamine while increasing healthy hormones like endorphins, upping your antibodies and repairing your immune system.
• Laughter provides a physical and emotional release.
• Done properly, it’s a full abdominal and cardiac work out.
• Laughter gives you a healthier perspective on life.
• Laughter is contagious, and it helps us connect with others.

While Cape Town gets ready to welcome the world in June for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup™, the Vodacom Funny Festival brings a world of comedy to our shores.  A ventriloquist, Spanish Testosterone King, Freddie Mercury’s alter ego and a Scot walk into a bar … or onto the stage of the Baxter rather. 

What can visitors expect of the international acts? The Raymond and Mr Timpkins Revue from London present a literal interpretation of popular rock music with some serious puns, Paul Morocco aka the Spanish Testosterone King delivers an unorthodox experience with guitars and ping pong balls aimed at “anybody with sun in their hearts”. (That would be us, Paul. That would be us). Add a Latin casanova into the mix with Mario: Queen of the Circus. He joins the troupe straight from the vaudeville show, LA CLIQUE,which has been extremely popular in London and Paris, on occasion performing tributes to Queen. 

The local line-up includes leading South African comedians Riaad Moosa (the doctor is in the house), Ndumiso Lindi, Al Prodgers and master of ceremonies, Alan Committie. 

What do you need to know about the Vodacom Funny Festival?

When: June 7 – July 11, 2010
Where: The Baxter Theatre
Times: Monday to Friday at 20h00; Saturday at 17h00 and 20h00; Sunday July 11 at 20h00
Ticket price: R130 each from Computicket
Note: No Under 18’s

For more information on the Vodacom Funny Festival, visit http://www.capetown.travel or call +27 21 487 6800.