LAUGHTER is said to be the best medicine. And the art of comedy is believed to have the ability to administer this medicine and uplift low spirits.
To prove this, local comedians have mastered the art by packaging current affairs issues and taking them to the people in a humorous way.
And so comedy fans should expect a night of laughter and fun today at REPS Theatre in Belgravia, Harare, when Norton legislator Temba Mliswa gets grilled at the second edition of the Shoko Roast curated by Simuka Comedy as part of the Shoko Festival programme.
The show promises to be a two-hour rib-cracking treat.
On the roast panel will be self-proclaimed prophet Talent Madungwe, veteran stand-up comedian Carl Joshua Ncube, the queen of hip-hop Kikky Badass, songbird Vimbai Zimuto, socialite Lorraine Guyo, radio personality Sokostina, comedian Ckanyiso Dat Guy, Bustop TV founder Lucky Aaroni and the hard-hitting political satirist Comrade Fatso.
Before The Roast, early birds will be treated to a 30-minute pre-roast by Kadem the Comic and Munya Guramatunhu.
Local seasoned stand-up comedian and Simuka Comedy creative director Doc Vikela, the evening’s roast master, promised fireworks at the show.
“The Shoko Roast is an extraordinary event that is happening for the second year following a successful debut last year which featured politician Linda Masarira as the main guest. For the show, we use satire to present a unique opportunity to talk and touch on hot political topics in a deeply polarised country,” Doc Vikela explained.
- Over 115 to exhibit at Mine Entra
- Young entrepreneur dreams big
- Chibuku NeShamwari holds onto ethos of culture
- Health talk: Be wary of measles, its a deadly disease
Keep Reading
“At the show, we speak truth to power on issues of accountability (and) the mishaps that happen in society. There will be no sacred cows at the roast as this year is a no-holds-barred show. It is going to be the epitome of things that cannot be said in front of a live audience, but are said at Shoko Roast.”
Doc Vikela said tickets for the Shoko Roast were selling for US$5 and were available at REPS Theatre, Simuka Comedy and at Moto Republik.
Considered as the country’s biggest urban culture jubilee, Shoko Festival roared to life on Tuesday under the theme PARTYcipate, which according to the organisers, is a clarion call to encourage young people to be part of public processes that define their future.
The Voice 2 Rep Watch Party set the ball rolling for the five-day fête held at venues spread across Harare and Chitungwiza.
The curtains will come down tomorrow and the festival’s final day programme will include the main event Peace in the Hood to be held in Unit L, Chitungwiza, featuring headline acts, dancehall singer Freeman and Kikky Badass.
Over the years, the festival has provided a platform for hundreds of young Zimbabwean rappers, comedians, musicians and spoken word artists to perform, collaborate and express themselves.
For this year, the festival capitalised on the relaxed COVID-19 regulations to assume a hybrid format, whereby most of its events have been physical, while others were online to cater for those not able to physically attend.
In its 12th edition, this year’s festival had a special focus on local talent which kept people’s hopes alive during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Up-and-coming artistes have also been given the chance to showcase their talents and rub shoulders with the country’s heavyweights at the festival.
Festival organisers Magamba Network have hosted the event annually since 2011 under difficult circumstances ranging from COVID-19 to soci-economic challenges which have continued to choke the arts industry.
