Night of 1,000 laughs
Kenya’s Eric Omondi was the night’s favourite.
What you need to know:
The cream of Africa’s stand-up comedians lined up on one stage, leaving the audience in stitches.
The so-called ‘international music concerts’ that have swept Uganda taking with them mountains of cash could have found their match in the Night of a 1,000 Laughs comedy show that took place at Imperial Royale hotel in Kampala on Friday.
The show’s creator Opa Williams and pay-tv Zuku TV lined-up some of the best stand-up comedians on the continent for the Kampala show, which attracted over 1,500 spectators who paid a whooping Shs75,000 for ordinary tickets and shs150,000 for VIP seating.
Emcee of the night comedian Pablo Kimuli kicked off the show at around 8pm. using a simple formula: ladies first and save the best for the last. First on stage was Uganda’s only recognised female stand-up comedian Kotilda Inapo followed by her Nigerian partner in crime Mandy.
If this was a competition, Kotilda and Mandy would have left their male companions with something to brood-over. The Ugandan queen of comedy was in fine form throwing one personal joke after another.
The Nigerian won many hearts with her sense of adaptability delivering her stories in a Ugandan perspective. She even likened herself to Bad Black leaving the crowded audience with no choice but to repay her with ovation.
Zimbabwe’s Carl Ncube was equally hilarious, though Kenya’s Eric Omondi came out as most people’s favourite on the night.
Each of the comedians brought something totally different to the table; our loveable Patrick ‘Salvador’ Idringi was one of the highlights of the night using his ethnicity jokes to bring down the house.
Pablo also handled his emceeing job well chipping in with a joke or two at every break.
But the renowned Klint the Drunk’s last and the final act of the night was just the right way to end the show.
The Nigerian’s comedy is more for improvisational sketches than one-liner stand-up and he shines the brightest acting his legendary drunken character. The further he cracked the more Klint faded into the sober character. He earned a deservedly rapturous applause for his imitation of reggae artistes who will come on stage high on drugs and fail to sing but will somehow perform.
His staggering, dance and words once again proved he is the master of physical comedy.
Besides the power cut amidst Bebe Cool’s musical interlude and the audience of majorly moneyed people failing to tip the comedians, the show waas worth every penny and minute spent.
Lillian Mbabazi and the Sundowners band also performed at the show.
