Laff-A-Lot comedians stage another national tour

Staff Writer | Thursday October 31, 2013 15:36

 

The next show is scheduled for November 1 at Cresta President Hotel followed by another at Travel Inn in Selebi-Phikwe on November 8.  The grand finale will be at Maun Lodge on November 23.

A statement from the Laff-A-Lot crew explained that the 2013 tour is peculiar because for the first time, they have secured sponsorship for workshops to be held before the comedy shows.  “Attendants of the workshops will be given a chance to showcase what they have learnt during live stand-up shows.  The workshops are sponsored by the Department of Arts and Culture under the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture,” the statement said.

The workshops will be conducted by Laff-A-Lot pioneers Modiri ‘Mod’ Keseabetswe and Bafana ‘Ribcracker’ Letsatsi and event coordinator, Gaolathe Kediemetse.

The Laff-A-Lot crew intends to increase the number of female comedians.  Their target is to have at least three female comedians per workshop out of the 15 expected participants.

“There is still a huge gap left for female comics to fill in Botswana, and we hope by conducting such workshops we will encourage more talented female comedians to come up and hone their skills.  Laff-A-Lot is always ready to help and develop talent, and also give a platform to all upcoming comedians so we build a vibrant industry,” Ribcracker said.

The tour will include performances by 2013 President Day Competition Winner Kabo ‘Order’ Keitheng, Ouza Elijah, Sendimbah ‘Stokie’ Shitah, Jacob Tshweneyagae, Odirile Brooks, Zimbabwean-born Charles Manase, Goodwill ‘Goodie’ Tlokwe, Phenyo ‘The Master’ Phaladi, Augustus ‘Legusty’ Mokgadi, Keseabetswe, Letsatsi, Paphani ‘Paps’ Masalila and upcoming comics.  The Gaborone show will have a specific focus on female comedians.  It is dubbed ‘The Three Queens of Comedy’ as it features Kelly ‘Rekunde’ Mophaleng, Amantle ‘First Lady’ Mmonadibe, and top South African female comedian Lindzy ‘Lihle’ Msimang.

The Laff-A-Lot crew has been invited to take part in the monthly Mafikeng Comedy Jam shows and to perform at Morula Sun Casino and Hotel in Pretoria.  Ribcracker who has performed in South Africa before will curtain-raise for the highly rated Trevor Noah on November 8.  “We have had tremendous support for our past shows from both the public and the media alike and we would like to thank them dearly. We promise a scorcher of a tour with this production as we promise to surpass all the previous shows with brand new concept of fresh comedy,” Kediemetse said.