ATHLONE NEWS

Cape Town's Jive Funny Championship: A showcase of talent and resilience

  • Fouzia van der Fort
2 min read
Jive Funny Championship judges Yaaseen Barnes, Eddy Cassar, and Simmi Areff.
Jive Funny Championship judges Yaaseen Barnes, Eddy Cassar, and Simmi Areff. Picture: Fouzia van der Fort

Cape Town’s comedy scene is in the spotlight as aspiring performers take part in the Jive Funny Championship at Canal Walk’s auditorium.

Auditions took place over the weekend, Friday, April 17, and Saturday, April 19, with 30 finalists selected to compete in weekly shows every Wednesday from April 22 at 8pm.

Tickets cost R60 and are available through Webtickets.

The eventual winner will be announced on Wednesday, May 20, and will secure a performance slot during the month-long annual Jive Cape Town Funny Festival at the Baxter Theatre.

Among the entrants is Strandfontein’s Alex Henry, known as “The Sit Down Comedian”, who uses humour to navigate life with cerebral palsy.

Mr Henry, who was an activist for children with disabilities, began telling jokes after his grandmother's death to cope with the pain. "Now I am a full-time comedian, and I started telling jokes after my grandmother died to get me through the pain," he said. 

Mr Henry said his grandmother loved attending funerals and would come home to tell stories to the finest detail, including the make of the hearse, the flowers, and what people wore.

"Comedy got me through my toughest times," he said.

Zach Esau, from Athlone, does his comedy stint with a keyboard.
Zach Esau, from Athlone, does his comedy stint with a keyboard. Picture: Fouzia van der Fort
Entrant Alex Henry, better known as The Sit Down Comedian, from Strandfontein, auditions at the Jive Funny Championship at Canal Walk auditorium on Saturday, April 18.
Entrant Alex Henry, better known as The Sit Down Comedian, from Strandfontein, auditions at the Jive Funny Championship at Canal Walk auditorium on Saturday, April 18.Picture: Fouzia van der Fort

Championship producer Yaaseen Barnes, who is also a judge, emphasises that comedy is about making fun of one's life.

He provided three tips for aspiring comedians: Prepare, share the funny, and look at life through the lens of humour.

Return entrant Aghmad Ismail from Salt River, who is blind, also participated.

Judge Mr Barnes had a tough time getting him off the stage after his three-minute slot, which was signalled by flashing his cellphone light.

Mr Ismail said he had competed five times, reaching the finals twice. He sees the competition as a good platform for exposure, noting that the winner gets to perform before an audience of 650 people at the Baxter Theatre.

Rezia Adams, from Zeekoevlei, is ticking stand up comedy off her bucket list.
Rezia Adams, from Zeekoevlei, is ticking stand up comedy off her bucket list. Picture: Fouzia van der Fort

The winner will perform alongside national and international acts at the Baxter from Thursday, May 28, until Sunday, June 21.

Festival director Eddy Cassar noted the improving calibre of entrants each year and predicted a challenging judging process for the finalists on May 20.

"This year saw a massive surge in participation with 168 entries, 75 more than the previous year," he said.

The festival includes a variety of specialty acts alongside stand-up comics, such as a musician, a magician, and a mime artist.

He highlighted the exceptional standard of local comedy, referencing top South African comedians like Marc Lottering, Riaad Moosa, and Trevor Noah, and credited South Africa's unique social landscape as a "wonderful nurturing ground for comedy".

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