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Tickling Funny Bones on National Arts Festival Fringe
Wednesday 9 June 2010
PRESS RELEASE
Released: 4 June 2010
With 51 comedy productions on the Fringe programme this year, South African comedians from all walks of life are amped to tickle the funny bones at this yearís National Arts Festival, 20 June ñ 4 July 2010.
UKís comic ventriloquist Paul Zerdin will headline the comedy on the Main programme, with Stewart Taylor as opening act. Credited as being ëthe man who has made ventriloquism coolí, Zerdin is widely considered to be one of the worldís leading practitioners. With a winning combination of charm, impeccable comic timing and continual audience interaction, Zerdinës Sponge Fest, which was a hit on the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2009, show sees him bring to life, three very different characters ñ 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 21st birthday of the popular Raidersí series. Theatre for Africa celebrates this coming-of-age with the premiËre 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 Manís 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 Vossí Beauty Therapy, Mpho-Osei Tutuís 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 (premiËre), Super Gamat: Hie Kom U Ding!!! (premiËre) and Tokoloshe Come Again.
Other random ajoba-ness comedies at the Fest will include Dr Stef's Sidesplitting Hypnosis, High Diving, Kaput! (premiËre), Little poof! A Homofabulous Show!, No Fat Jokes (premiËre), Shaggy... (premiËre), The Web and Profest Theatreís One Manís 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 ñ donít miss the special guests. Drinks available throughout!
Thereís a whole lot more too ñ 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 ñ 046 603 1103. Follow us on Twitter @artsfestival or join us on Facebook: facebook.com/nationalartsfestival.
Ends
The National Arts Festival is sponsored by Standard Bank, The Eastern Cape Government, The National Arts Council, The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, The Sunday Independent and M Net.
About the National Arts Festival: The National Arts Festival, now in its 36th year, has proved its sustainability and has grown to be one of the leading arts festivals in southern Africa. Its objectives are to deliver excellence; encourage innovation and development in the arts by providing a platform for both established and emerging South African artists; create opportunities for collaboration with international artists; and build new audiences.
ISSUED BY : THE FAMOUS IDEA TRADING CC
ON BEHALF OF : NATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL, GRAHAMSTOWN
CONTACT : GILLY HEMPHILL / CILNETTE PIENAAR
TEL : 021 886 4900
CELL : 082 820 8584
EMAIL : gilly@thefamousidea.co.za
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