The Jive Cape Town Funny Festival is entering a new phase this year, marking another shift in a production that has continually evolved since its launch. Founded by Eddy Cassar in 1997 as a platform to celebrate freedom of expression and the emerging art form of stand-up comedy, the festival underwent a significant change in 2005 with the introduction of variety acts alongside its comedy line-up.
These additions, presented alongside both local and international comedians, brought renewed energy to the festival and contributed to its growth. As the local comedy industry developed over time, the line-up shifted again, with international acts gradually falling away to make space for a strong contingent of South African performers.
Among those who have taken to the festival stage are Marc Lottering, Riaad Moosa, Trevor Noah, Nik Rabinowitz, KG Mokgadi, Stuart Taylor, Siv Ngesi, Conrad Koch, Kurt Schoonraad, Dalin Oliver, and Yaaseen Barnes, among others, reflecting the depth and growth of the country’s comedy scene.
The variety acts were drawn from the famous UK travelling cabaret shows and the global circus phenomena, Cirque du Soleil and Circus Oz. Year after year, the funny festival showcases some of the best variety acts on the global circuit.
This year, the funny festival’s third metamorphosis is to be introduced. Music lives large in Cape Town’s DNA, and the funny festival will showcase the best of the art form.
Musical director Sean de Vries, known for his involvement in numerous local music projects and his knowledge of Cape Town’s sound, joins the festival this year with a clear shift in approach. The pre-recorded music traditionally used to introduce performers has been replaced by live performances from the Funny Festival Band, under his direction.
Audiences can expect a soundtrack rooted in the music of the Flats, the wider community, Table Bay, and Cape Town’s heritage. The international line-up also aligns with this musical focus. Among them is Mike Woodhams from London, who recently reached the finals of Britain’s Got Talent with his impersonations of well-known international singers, including James Blunt.
Audiences can look forward to a line-up where music plays a central role in the performances. Italian performer Matteo Fraziano presents a shadow finger puppetry act set to well-known songs, while Dani Airhead combines balloon artistry with the music of Elvis Presley, building to a final reveal.
The festival runs at The Baxter Theatre from Thursday, May 28, to Sunday, June 21. Bookings can be made through Webtickets.