By Khumbulani Muleya
Slam Champion and NAMA nominated comedian Andrew Manyika is heading out on the road with
his new show dubbed ‘The Cologniser’ slated for next month when he will embark on a highly
anticipated comedy and poetry tour which will see him perform in Kwekwe on Saturday, July 23.
From there he will take his solo act to Hope Centre in Bulawayo on July 30.
This is the most recent in a series of one-man shows starring Manyika, a seasoned and well-traveled
comic who has performed in South Africa and the United States.
Last year Manyika represented Zimbabwe at the Tanta International Poetry Festival in Egypt where
he delivered a flurry of laughs.
Comedy lovers in the eastern part of Zimbabwe are also in for a hilarious and intimate show when
the powerhouse entertainer performs on Saturday, August 20 in Mutare. He is set to round up his
tour in Harare at Reps Theatre on August 27.
After being delayed last year in December owing to the coronavirus outbreak, The Cologniser made
Its debut at a crowded Jasen Mphepho Theatre in January of this year.
The upcoming tour is produced as part of the Scripts & Bars Programme, with support from the
British Council, The Swiss Agency for Development & Cooperation; UK-based Reprezent; Khura
Agency, Page Poetry Alive, and Comexposed.
This year saw the poet cum comedian and top-tier MC adjudicating in a nationwide talent search
show ‘The Chase’, alongside Prosper the Comic Pastor. He served as one of the judges for the World
Poetry Slam Organisation in their slam competition. WPSO is an organization that gathers together
poetry slams from various national and continental competitions.
Manyika is not new to the art of curating solo acts where he merges poetry and humor having
previously produced two one-man shows titled ‘Love & Laughter and ‘Just Married?!’. His debut
collection of poetry ‘Man of Letters’ is now available.
Speaking to HStv ahead of the tour Manyika said “Comedy gives us a chance to laugh and connect
with one another. I'm excited to take this show on the road and spread a little joy, this is a unique
chance to get back to having fun in life after lockdown”.
Manyika’s stand-up comedy and poetry exhibit flawless stagecraft and are wonderfully original. He
can be reached on Facebook – Andrew Manyika. Instagram; Tik Tok and Twitter on the handle
@drewmannshow.
