Sometimes, when you’re reading about the latest brawl between politicians or watching our police bungle a salute at a funeral, you realise that if you don’t laugh, you’re probably going to cry.

Laughter takes the edge off of everything and if like most South Africans, you could use a good laugh right now, we have some excellent news for you.

The Cape Town International Comedy Festival, the largest comedy festival in South Africa, is back for one week only, starting March 1, 2020, at the Artscape Theatre Centre.

Jam-packed into that week will be 15 international artists from across the globe, alongside some of South Africa’s finest (and funniest) comedians.

The festival has a proud history of bringing top international acts to our shores, including Jim Jefferies, Jimmy Carr, and Russell Peters. Our very own Trevor Noah also took the stage a few years back, and we all know where he is now.

You’ve made us proud, Trevor.

Check out this year’s programme so that you can schedule some good times:

THE UNITED NATIONS OF COMEDY SHOW

Seven comedians, seven countries, one ticket and endless laughter.

• DATE: March 2-8, 2020
• TIME: Weekdays 8PM, Saturday and Sunday 4PM
• CAST: Daliso Chaponda (above) (Malawi), Fern Brady (Scotland), Laura Davis (Australia), Nik Rabinowitz (South Africa), Sindhu Vee (India) and Stuart Goldsmith (England)
• TICKETS: R190 – R285
• AGE LIMIT: 16+

DANGER ZONE

Filthy, funny and not for the faint of heart (or anyone under the age of 18).

This show features five international and two local heavyweight comedians, in a no-holds-barred romp that is dangerously funny.

• DATE: March 2-8, 2020
• TIME: Monday – Saturday 8:30PM, Sunday 5PM
• CAST: Alonzo Bodden (above) (USA), Desiree Burch (USA), Fin Taylor (United Kingdom), Jeff Innocent (England), Loyiso Gola (South Africa), Robby Collins (South Africa) and Spencer Jones (England).
• TICKETS: R190 – R285
• AGE LIMIT: 18+

BAFUNNY BAFUNNY

If comedy was a sport, the World Cup would be Bafunny Bafunny. A team of South Africa’s funniest comedians will go head to head against comedians from England, Scotland, America, and Malawi for one night only.

• DATE: March 1, 2020
• TIME: 7PM
• CAST: Alonzo Bodden (USA), Stuart Goldsmith (England), Jeff Innocent (England), Daliso Chaponda (Malawi), Bongani Dube (South Africa), Prins (South Africa), Schalk Bezuidenhout (South Africa), Tsitsi Chiumya (South Africa), Mojak Lehoko (South Africa), Mo Mothebe (South Africa), Loyiso Gola (above) (South Africa), Nik Rabinowitz (South Africa).
• TICKETS: R190 – R285
• AGE LIMIT: 16+

DEALT

Global touring sensation Richard Turner will be performing live in South Africa for the first time. Turner is an unmatched master with a deck of cards, has been the subject of a number of articles in The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times, and is currently the subject of an award-winning documentary film:

Hear his story from the legend himself.

• DATE: March 2-8, 2020
• TIME: 7:30PM
• TICKETS: R190 – R285
• AGE LIMIT: All Ages Welcome

BOOK CLUB

For one night only, enjoy the very best of all-female and non-binary comedy.

• DATE: March 4, 2020
• TIME: 8PM
• CAST: Fern Brady (above) (Scotland), Desiree Burch (USA), Laura Davis (Australia), Sindhu Vee (India), Mel Jones (South Africa), Shimmy Isaacs (South Africa).
• TICKETS: R190 – R285
• AGE LIMIT: 16+

FUNNY TALKS

Do you think you might have what it takes to make people laugh? Why not spend an afternoon with Mark Banks, who will be hosting some of the best in the business from stand-up comedians to cartoonists

They will be answering pressing audience questions about the industry.

• DATE: March 3-7, 2020
• TIME: 1PM
• GUESTS: To be announced.
• TICKETS: R30
• AGE LIMIT: All ages welcome.

COMEDIA 

Comedia features the best and funniest clips online, submitted by none other than…you.

If you have a hilarious skit, clip, or comedy piece committed to video, submit it to media@capetowncomedyfestival.com.

Free for all festival-goers.

SATURDAY NIGHT BEAVER

Every great festival needs an after-party. If you’re lucky enough to score tickets to a Saturday night performance, consider your experience upgraded.

Your Saturday night performance tickets also get you speciality acts, bars, and live performances scattered throughout the foyer, from 10PM to 1AM, so that you can keep the party going long after the last laugh at the main event.

Tickets for Cape Town Comedy Festival are available from Webtickets. For more information, visit The Cape Town International Comedy Festival website.

Go on, treat yo’self to a few nights of laughing till your belly aches.

You’ve earned it.