May 7, 2004
By Chandrea Gerber
IF you're in for a belly-aching laugh, head for the Johannesburg Civic Theatre when the Nelson Mandela Stage is converted into a boxing ring, where heavyweight comedians will punch it out for audience laughs next weekend.
Established in 2000, King Size Comedy's successful "The Heavyweight Comedy Jam" this year features six local and three international comedians who promise to deliver a belly-heaving round of laughs at the Johannesburg Civic Theatre from 12 May to 15 May.
This time, international comedy fans will be graced with the talents of Mickey Hutton and Dave Johns, direct from the Comedy Store in London. London's busiest comedy spot, the prestigious Comedy Store has over 3 000 people passing through its doors every week to see the likes of Mike Myers, Ruby Wax and Robin Williams.
Also in the international line-up is Tom Stade from Canada, who will compete against South African favourites, John Vlismas, David Kau, Bevan Cullinan, Riaad Moosa, Martin Jonas and newcomer Krijay Govender, a former Miss India who is one of the few women to break into the South African comedy scene.
Popular Joburg disc jockey and comedy pioneer, Alex Jay, will play referee for the night, while the comedians spar on stage with left and right hooks, upper cuts, and a couple of knock-out punches - and possibly a few low blows.
To top off the show, Vlismas will present his one-man show "Press" for one night only, on 16 May. Presented by King Size Comedy and 5FM, "Press" features Vlismas trying to revive his career after what he has euphemistically called a "bit of a tough year", an "allergic reaction to the theatre industry" and a rather "unhealthy exploration of the institution called marriage".
Vlismas has teamed up with controversial co-writer Darrel Bristow-Bovey to honour the Decade of Democracy celebrations with a tribute to the newsmakers and news breakers of South Africa over the last 10 years.
Tickets for "The Heavyweight Comedy Jam" at the Johannesburg Civic Theatre start at R75. The bouts begin at 8pm and run from 12 May to 15 May. "Press" is on at 7pm on 16 May, and tickets cost from R65. Tickets can be bought from Computicket on 011 340 8000 or from www.computicket.com. Discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more are available from VIP Ticketing at 011 877 6854.
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