The Jive Cape Town Funny Festival has a long history of being a popular project, which always draws strong attention and ticket sales.
It has numerous strategies in place that have, over the years, brought in many local followers who have become regular supporters. The festival’s group discount offer also ensures charities have the opportunity to use the Funny Festival to raise money in an uncluttered time of the year.
After twenty-seven years, it consistently plays to full houses; however, this year, there is something quite different at play.
Never has there been so much global anxiety during funny festival time. With the Middle East in turmoil, international political tension at an all-time high, and the cost of living affecting everyone’s budget, stress levels are at breaking point. For audiences, comedy often plays a major role during stressful times.
When people feel pressure, especially tension that affects entire populations, they tend to seek out entertainment that provides relief.
Comedy serves as a psychological release, and this is clearly evident in the increase in funny festival ticket sales this year. Webtickets sales are way up from past years, as are group ticket sales.
Friends, families, clubs, religious institutions, and corporates have booked in their numbers, resulting in brisk sales and many sold-out shows. Added to the show for the first time is a resident band assembled by Cape Town music specialist Sean De Vries, who has written some specific tunes for the festival.
Funny festival director, Eddy Cassar, says that he is nervous about incorporating music into the production.
“I know it’s the correct thing to do, I'm just keen to see it work. We need a lot of rehearsal time to get it right from the beginning,” he adds.
Known for its variety of artists, or as many refer to them as “different acts”, they were originally brought on to relax the audience before introducing the next stand-up comedian and concentrating on what he has to say.
The acts are different this year, with an Italian shadow puppeteer, an English voice impressionist, who made it to the finals of Britain’s Got Talent, and a Spanish balloon act that will mesmerize the audience.
With MC Alan Committie, Johannesburg comedians Jason Goliath and Robby Collins, local hero Emo Adams, and the winner of The Jive FunnyChampionships, the show is set to be a winner.
Booking is heavy, so please secure your tickets early to avoid disappointment. The Jive Cape Town Funny Festival runs at the Baxter Theatre from Thursday, May 28, till Sunday, June 21.
Book at Webtickets.