Funny festival has a variety of acts

Staff Reporter|Published 9 months ago

New York City-schooled performer.Mario – Queen of the Circus, based in Australia, mixes character comedy, circus spectacle and raucous audience participation in his shows. PICTURE: MARIO QUEEN OF THE CIRCUS, FACEBOOK

The Jive Cape Town Funny Festival is known for its eclectic variety of performers and this year is no different.

For its 25th anniversary line-up, Funny Fest audiences can look forward to seeing Mario – Queen of the Circus from New York, a born showman and expert in both circus artistry and comedy. His show is a unique mix of complex juggling tricks, audience participation and universal appeal that finds release in the arena-rocking anthems of his favourite super group, Queen.

Every show, wherever it’s performed around the world, ends with the audience on their feet singing their favourite Queen hit, with Mario surfing the auditorium from row A to Z.

Kev Orkian from London will be part of the Funny Festival line-up. PICTURE: KEV ORKIAN, FACEBOOK

As unique as Mario is, so is classically trained pianist Kev Orkian. London-born Orkian is an international stalwart of the Armenian community. In his early career, he spent time touring the UK as the support act for some of the biggest names in British comedy. He had previously starred in West-End London musicals including Fame, Happy Days and Boogie Nights.

His comedy routine is an updated version of an old Victor Borge sketch which Orkian had developed into using his Armenian character as its lead.

In 2010, Orkian took part in Britain's Got Talent and made it through to the semi-finals. Simon Cowell said his act was one of the smartest performances he had seen.

The Jive Cape Town Funny Festival, of which Cape Community Media is the print media partner, takes place at the Baxter Theatre, from Monday June 10 to Sunday July 7.

Joining the bill are South African comedy stars Alan Committie, Emo and Loukmaan Adams, Dalin Oliver, Kagiso KG Mokgadi, Yaaseen Barnes, Khanyisa Bunu, Sifiso Nene and Dillan Oliphant.

Book tickets at Webtickets. Generous discounts are offered for corporate and group bookings. For more information on this, call Eddy Cassar on 082 450 3151 or email carmen.kearns@uct.ac.za

For the full line-up, visit https://funnyfestival.co.za