The idea of a comedy festival was first raised by veteran comedian Mark Banks to his friend and colleague, Eddy Cassar, in the late 1980s while they were both at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival.
The comedy scene exploded in the country after democracy in 1994, with the birth of an art form that allowed true freedom of expression. Mr Cassar wanted to celebrate that!
It took three years to find a sponsor, and in 1997, the country’s first comedy festival was born: The Smirnoff Comedy Festival, which transitioned into The Vodacom Funny Festival in 2005, and then in 2010, cooldrink manufacturer and distributor Jive became involved.
Festival director, Eddy Cassar, has produced more than 750 of these gala performances and worked with some global comics and local legends. The Jive Cape Town Funny Festival remains a favourite with the Cape Town community each year.
We sat with Eddy to dig a little deeper into what makes him tick.
How have you kept this project going for so long?
Firstly, the business of entertainment is a passion. Secondly, I love comedy, and thirdly, I have learnt how to maintain sponsorships. We have run at capacity since inception, and at the end of the day, full houses are the currency for sponsorships. Time has also allowed me to adapt the project to international trends. That is the key.
Who are your biggest influences?
Alan Committie is a genius. We have worked together for more than thirty years, and I learn from him daily. I was fortunate to work with David Kramer and Taliep Petersen on their award-winning production, Kat and the Kings. Though I learnt much from them, it was David’s wife, Renaye, who taught me the business of the theatre and how to attract an audience.
My wife Jane is my fiercest critic. I must convince her that an act will work, which ultimately makes me analyse each comic’s contribution and how they fit into the entire show.
So how do you ensure full houses, year after year?
Once I close a run, I honestly believe that no one will come to next year’s Festival. The equity you build each year helps bring people back. It’s true that in this business, you are only as good as your last production.
I have a template that needs to be followed meticulously, which makes sure that the festival engages with the market at least four months before it opens. The initial phase of launching the festival is hugely important. It sets the tone for the communication.
Who are your favourite local comics?
I have a soft spot for Trevor Noah, because I have worked with him since he was young. I love Marc Lottering, but then everyone does! Alan Committie, Kurt Schoonraad, Emo Adams, KG Mokgadi, Sifiso Nene, Stewart Taylor, Riaad Moosa, Tumi Morake, Yaaseen Barnes, and Schalk Bezuidenhout all resonate with my sense of humour. We have all grown up together in this industry.
You introduced variety acts in 2005. Why?
I got bored with one stand-up after another, and I could feel the audience did as well. I love the circus, and I adore street performers, so I decided to experiment with including them. The specialty acts allow the audience to breathe before concentrating on another stand-up’s content. For me, it’s a winning formula and our unique selling point.
Where do you find them?
Mostly at the international festivals, like the Edinburgh or Adelaide Fringe Festivals, and the Linz Street Performers Festival in Austria, or even in the streets of London, like Covent Garden. I work closely with Cirque du Soleil and Britain’s Got Talent and the travelling cabaret shows, which are popular in Europe. Then obviously, word of mouth, but I very seldom book an act without seeing them live. You cannot rely on YouTube or other platforms, as the power of editing makes judging so difficult. The reaction of the audience holds the key for me. I bottle that laughter in my mind, transfer the act to paper, and then fit it into my show.
Who are your favourite variety performers?
Ennio Marchetto, the living cartoon artist, master pianist Kev Orkian, Baccala Clown, who was here last year, ventriloquists Nina Conti and Paul Zerdin, Cirque du Soleil clown Mooky, Freddie Mercury’s alter ego, Mario Queen of the Circus, The Raymond and Mr Timpkins Revue, mime artist Les Bubb, who taught movement to the actors in the Harry Potter movies. There are so many, all experts in their craft.
How do you put the show together?
I work eighteen months ahead, so I have almost contracted the international performers for 2027! No act worth its salt has a clean, empty month a year ahead.
Placement of acts is vital. I always start the show with a very strong act and close the first half before the interval with the best act of the night. This allows the audience to justify their attendance to each other in the foyer during the interval. They can’t do that after the show. When the laughter in my head feels comfortable, I know the show will work! It takes me months to get it right. However, I only know it works when I hear the laughter on the first night.
And I usually end the show with a love song, as the audience leaves the theatre. I believe laughter lessens our stress levels, and the love song just adds to the enjoyment.
The Jive Cape Town Funny Festival runs at The Baxter Theatre from Thursday, May 28, to Sunday, June 21. Bookings can be made through Webtickets.