The Sunday Mail
Fast-rising stand-up comedy company, Simuka Comedy, is gradually strengthening the comedy industry through offering a platform for budding and established comics to showcase their talents.
Growth of various forms of art outside music has remained rather subdued due to lack of exposure and proper platforms to support the concerned activities.
However, Simuka Comedy seems to have come as a panacea to the challenges bedevilling the comedy industry.
Born three years ago in the capital, the company has exposed various new talent in the country that has gone on to conquer the world.
The company was co-founded by comedians Doc Vikela, real name Victor Mpofu and Simba Kakora, aka Simba the Comic King.
Doc Vikela said the company was aimed at improving stand-up comedy in the country. He said the last three years in business have been fruitful with indications that the future is bright.
“The company was set up after we discovered that there was no proper platform in the country to nature talent in stand-up comedy. The idea of this company is to provide a platform for comedians to showcase their gifts,” he said.
Simuka Comedy co-director added focus was not only on budding comics but also the established. Sharing of stage by the two groups, he noted, helped develop talent at the same time boosting appreciation of the industry by fans.
Apart from the two founding fathers, other big names that rub shoulders with the newcomers include Carl Joshua Ncube, Cde Fatso, Clive Chigubhu, Q the Boss, Michael K and Ntando Van Moyos.
“There is great benefit when seasoned artistes and newcomers share the stage. Knowledge is easily passed while fans are kept entertained by the veterans when the beginners face challenges,” explained Doc Vikela.
As part of their initiative to grow the industry, the company periodically conducts auditions and comedy workshops. It is also responsible for securing performing venues.
According to the company official, workshops are held on an annual basis and close to 20 new comics underwent training this year.
The new comics are expected to get their first shot in cut-throat industry this week on Tuesday at the Simuka Comedy Fiesta at the Book Café.
Among the new comics to take part are T-Moe, Kuzhangaira, Kadem The Comic, Blank, So Provoking, Nyarie and Manjenjenje.
After the city show the comics will tour various towns and cities around the country under the company banner.
“Each time we train new comedians we make sure that they get a real shot at the art,” revealed the Simuka Comedy director.
Positives vibes have gradually been coming for the corporate world. Companies are beginning to see the benefit of partnering players in the industry. Last year, Simuka Comedy signed a sponsorship deal with Zambezi Light.
Stand-up comedy is all about creating humour mostly from real life events ranging from social, economic and political affairs.
Meanwhile, officials from Savanna Trust say Mozambican show titled 4:48 Psychoses is set to headline the Protest Arts International Festival to be held at Nicoz Diamond Theatre on December 12 and 13 in the capital.
The act is based on a woman who is borderline between sanity and madness, possessed with evil spirits. In the show, a woman is about to commit suicide at 4:48 as English playwright Sarah Kane did, in 1999 when she was 28.
According to Savanna Trust programmes officer Melody Zambuko, the controversial play is meant to offer an alternative view to the public. Suicide, she said, should never be viewed as an option.
“We are presenting a mirror of life. Through the act, we hope people will see other options of dealing with challenges in life rather than opting for suicide. The mirror image is meant to help people think outside the box,” she said.
The theatre programme will also include a play by Leeroy Gono titled “The Greyman Experiment”, Jasen Mphepo’s “1 000 miles” and another commissioned by Savannah Trust titled “The Civil Servants” written by Thabani Moyo.
Doc Vikela, Michael K and Lewis the Prince of Comedy make up the stand-up comedy programme while Brian Geza’s Zvishamiso Dance and Plot Mhako’s Jibilika will cater for the dance category.
The festival will run under the theme: “Break the chains-action against poverty and gender violence”.
