Tough climb for Zimbabwe comics

08 Nov, 2015 - 00:11 0 Views
Tough climb for Zimbabwe comics DOC VIKELA

The Sunday Mail

DESPITE having a large pool of talent capable of tickling the most stone-faced people to senseless giggles, the local comedy industry continues to attract paltry audiences.
Is it because most Zimbabweans are comedians in their own right, with an abundant sense of humour that can squeeze a laugh out of any circumstance such that they find no reason to pay comedians to make them laugh?
Local stand-up comedians in the mould of Doc Vikela, Simba the Comic King, Carl Joshua Ncube, Cde Fatso, Clive Chigubhu, Q the Boss, Michael K and Ntando Van Moyos are extremely talented but they have all been struggling to draw the desirable crowds.
The only time that the rib crackers find the going easy in terms of attracting the right response for shows is when they combine forces with musicians.
This then leaves many wondering if the culture of slapstick is alien to Zimbabweans or the current crop does not have the panache to lure crowds.
Across borders but within the continent, comedians like Trevor Noah (South Africa) and Anne Kansiime (Uganda) are now sought-after individuals with millions of followers worldwide.
Through his exploits, Trevor Noah is now the host of “The Daily Show”. Kansiime has played to packed houses in Malawi, Botswana, Rwanda, Malaysia, Nigeria, London and Zambia.
Zimbabwean, Edgar Langeveldt, who is considered to be one of the godfathers of stand-up comedy in the country, is the only person who has to date managed to register meaningful success though it was short-lived due to the artiste’s misdemeanours.
The comedian used to attract huge crowds for his solo shows.
But the journey has been thorny for Langeveldt’s counterparts that are trying to eke a living from the laughter industry. The closure of their trusted venue, Book Café, has added more misery to their lives.
In fact, those that have survived thus far have been sustained mainly by corporate functions. Thus one is pardoned for assuming that the current quandary that the comic industry finds itself in is the reason why the legend Langeveldt decided to go into hibernation.
Doc Vikela, real name Victor Mpofu, acknowledges that all is not well in his beloved comedy industry but reckons a little perseverance will take them to an equivalent of the biblical promised land.
He said evidence on social media platforms indicate that people are aware of their existence and are equally in need of their services.
“Comedy is now a global phenomenon loved by many. This is why Trevor Noah and Kansiime (Anne) have become hits across the globe. We are in a fix due to unfavourable structures but we have potential to grow and fill venues,” said Doc Vikela.
“Our audiences have remained the same because we do not have resources to move to other places in the capital and around the country. Also we have limited or no proper venues to use. And due to economic challenges our fans find it difficult or expensive to attend the shows.”
Evidently, most venue owners are unwilling to give slots to comedians. Those that have tried to accommodate the comics have resorted to giving them slots outside the prime days.
The situation, Doc Vikela said, required some form of resilience as it is totally disheartening. The comedian added that comedy in the capital was “next to dead” during the time when he and his friend and co-founder of Simuka Comedy, Simba the Comic, were in South Africa for business.
The two went on a tour of comedy clubs in Johannesburg in October this year with an objective of learning one or two things to boost stand-up comedy in the country.
“We don’t mind performing for a few people. In fact, we are now doing free shows so that people have fun and also know that we are still in the game. The problem is some of the youngsters cannot do so and we are looking at inspiring them. Only corporate gigs are rewarding. Hopefully when venues open up that is when we are going to start Comedy Night. We tried Rainbow Towers but it did not work,” added Doc Vikela.
Conversely, his colleague and ever jovial Clive Chigubhu is happy and optimistic about the future of comedy in Zimbabwe. Challenges, he reckons, are and will always be a part of any sector of the arts.
“I am satisfied with the direction we are taking. The market is getting bigger. Fans are interested in seeing us grow and their feedback keeps us going. We just have to continue delivering and respecting their thoughts,” he said.
“Platforms are expanding since we are now being part of musical shows, awards ceremonies and corporate events. There is no doubt we will be pulling bigger crowds soon.”
Arts enthusiast and theatre guru, Daves Guzha, believes that the current crop of comedians needs to revisit their content if they hope to make an impact on the market. Guzha argues that the industry is driven more by relevance of the issues raised on set.
“The basis of stand-up comedy is supposed to be in-line with current issues. The topics have to be relevant to society. Langeveldt used to fill the 7 Arts Theatre three nights in a row because he used to do research through reading newspapers and other material to come up with solid jokes that are not just bar talk,” explained Guzha.
He further added that economic or political crisis in a country does not affect the arts sector that much, giving the example of the Angola’s entertainment industry that continued to grow despite the civil war that was in the country.
“Music is growing so there is no need for other sectors to complain. You don’t need money to dream or come up with ideas. The actual sense of creating does not need funding but production. During the peak of theatre we did not get funding.
“We used to borrow costumes and return them after set. We should not hide behind funding. If it was all about funding, we would be seeing a lot of scripts but that is not the case. The trick for the comedians rests in them identifying suitable content that can be packaged and sold. It has been done before and can still be done,” said Guzha.

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