01 Jul 2014

Comedy has been described as a live act where a comedian entertains the audience through amusement.

To qualify the truth of the adage, Karabo Seelo, a well-known personality who presents Mokaragana has thus advised comedians to arrange their act in a way that is full of humour enough to catch the attention of the audience.

Seelo said when delivering judgement at the President Day competitions comedy category for central region at Letlhakane Senior Secondary School on June 28.

He said a stand up comedian must impact rib-tickling live acts full of messages that would be of relevance to the audience. Seelo said a comedian must portray self-confidence; self believe and communicate in an entertaining way with the audience.

Before setting foot on stage, believe that indeed you are a good comedian able to entertain he said adding that a stand up comedian must also be audible.

He also said the outfit of a comedian has to be relevant with what will be delivered on stage. There is no uniform in comedy, what you are must match with what you say, he added. Seelo added that besides the attire whatever is brought on stage as an extra item to add more humour must be relevant to the act.

Stand-up comedians were also advised to desist from using provocative or insulting language as comedy is all about entertaining and communicating with the audience.

Seelo also encouraged comics to desist from using other people’s work indicating that whatever they act on stage must be original, saying they must come up with their your own material. He further advised them not to copy other people’s jokes and that their content must offer something new and original.

He urged comedians to be well prepared before coming on stage so that they can leave the crowd in jitters of laughter within the stipulated time by producing a string of well-rehearsed jokes.

Seelo said a comedian must interact, demand attention and take control of the audience. He also appealed to comedians to work hard and grow as some only feature at President Day competitions and then disappear. He added that even those who perform well at such competitions disappear, only to feature again in future at a similar competition.

Seelo appreciated that women are also appearing on the comic stage, saying he is happy to see that women are also taking comedy seriously.

However the female contenders who took part in the competition were not humorous enough to convince the judges and make the crowd laugh a lot as they all failed to prosper to the finals.

As for the comedy competition, Desire Itani representing Francistown scooped first position followed by Ihani Majage of Masunga. Kabelo Kay from Palapye came third while Otlaadisa Nkawana of Selebi Phikwe came fourth. ENDS