Johannesburg, 13 July 2016: Popular South African comedians Robbie Collins and David Kau will be flying the flag for South African comedy when they perform at the biggest comedy festival in the world: the Just For Laughs comedy festival in Montreal, Canada (July 13 – 1 August). The two comedians are joining Comedy Central (DStv Channel 122) on the channel’s annual pilgrimage to Canada where they’ll be showcasing South African comedy at the world famous event.
Under an annual collaboration partnership with Comedy Central, Collins will be making his Festival debut, while veteran South African comedian Kau will perform at Club Soda, one of the Festival’s premiere club shows (where Loyisa Gola and Conrad Koch have performed in previous years). Kau’s performance is being taped as part of the Just For Laughs: All Access television series, and will air on Comedy Central later in 2017. Comedy Central has also brokered a deal for additional All Access episodes that will start airing on the channel later this year.
Commented Evert van der Veer, Vice President, Comedy Central, Africa, “Just For Laughs is such a great shop window for African comedy and we are delighted that Robbie and David will have this opportunity to show off their comedy wares at the biggest comedy festival in the world.”
Commented Robbie Collins: “I’m very grateful to have this opportunity to represent my country and craft at the biggest comedy festival in the world. I’m also humbled that Comedy Central Africa and Just For Laughs have recognized my hard work. There are many talented comedians in South Africa and for them to invite me is really an honour.”
Added David Kau, “I first performed at Just For Laughs about 16 years ago. I am definitely looking forward to going back and performing there again. Also I have a lot of catching up to do with some of my comedian friends I haven’t seen in a while… Finesse Mitchell, Lil Rel Howery, Russell Peters… It is still the number one and biggest comedy festival in the world. I guess the cherry on top is going back there now with Comedy Central Africa. It’s going to be a great day at the office.”
Added Eric Y. Lapointe, Senior Director, International & Digital Development, Just For Laughs, “The Montreal International Just For Laughs Comedy Festival is proud to partner with Comedy Central to present the very best comedians from one of the fastest emerging stand-up scenes in the world. The highly collaborative South African comedy community showcases a younger generation eager to bring their nation together through humour. Just For Laughs is thrilled to be part of this adventure and applauds Comedy Central for becoming a major catalyst in propelling the careers of South African comedians.”
For more information about Comedy Central’s trip to Montreal please go to www.comedycentralafrica.com, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/comedycentralafrica or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @comedycentralAF. To join the conversation on social media, please use the hashtags #CCLiveAt JFL.
About the Just For Laughs Group
Founded in 1983, the Just For Laughs Group has had but one goal in its 30-plus years of operation: Make People Happy. To achieve this goal, the Just For Laughs Group has focused on four major products: Festivals in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Sydney; television production including Gags seen in over 130 countries and on over 75 airlines and stand-up specials; live shows, such as Canadian tour dates for Jerry Seinfeld, Louis C.K., Jim Gaffigan and the Just For Laughs Comedy Tour; and talent management. The Just For Laughs Montreal Comedy Festival is the world’s largest and most prestigious comedy event welcoming on average 1.35 million visitors to Montreal each summer and generating approximately $80 million for the city’s economy. The Group has offices in Montreal, Paris, Los Angeles, Toronto, London and they are all connected to each other via internet.