Don’t miss out on your monthly dose of laughter tomorrow night with the local comedians of Slummies Comedy — a grassroots movement to groom local comedians into the next big names in stand-up.
Slummies Comedy, founded earlier this year by local comedian Rosco Brown, takes to the stage twice a month featuring a range of different local and national comedians.
Slummies Comedy is a movement that aims to create a platform for home grown talent while energising the city’s entertainment landscape.
This is part of Brown’s intention to give back after local comedians with similar initiatives enabled him to discover and develop his talent and passion for stand-up.
Brown credits local and nationally renowned comedian, Virgil Prins, as the catalyst for his stand-up career as Prins’ open mic nights at Legends Showcase in Berea last year first gave Brown an opportunity to perform and perfect his craft.
Since then, Brown’s rise has been rapid and he’s excited to use this momentum to build a space for others to shine.
Brown said: “We host comedy nights twice a month and our goal is to discover local talent and grow the comedy scene in East London.
“Slummies Comedy isn’t just about stand-up performances, it’s a movement.
“We are committed to building a sustainable comedy culture by nurturing upcoming comics, collaborating with seasoned performers, and engaging audiences through relatable, locally inspired humour.”
Brown, from Buffalo Flats is the headline act for tomorrow’s event which includes fellow local comedian, Melissa Jhinku, Mbulelo Msongelwa from Kidds Beach and Vuyisa Xaba from Gauteng.
Prins is proud of Brown’s transformation from stand-up supporter to standout performer.
Prins said: “At first, he was just a guy who came to watch comedy with friends.
“He loved the laughs and supported the East London entertainment scene.
“But once he got on stage, he found his voice quickly.
“People have come to open mic nights thinking: ‘If he can do it, so can I.’ That’s impact. That’s leadership.”
According to Prins, Brown brings a distinct comedic style and a determined spirit.
Prins said: “He has chosen his comedic style early, which is a big step toward finding your voice.
“And he’s not afraid to get in the trenches.
“One night, when most comedians pulled out, it was just the two of us.
“Together, we gave the audience a 90-minute show,” Prins said.
“That tells you something about his work ethic.”
Prins believes Slummies Comedy has the potential to become a cornerstone of East London’s entertainment scene.
“Rosco [Brown] has been hands-on in supporting and building the comedy scene with frequent events to give comic’s exposure and if he keeps going, he can become the go-to guy for comedy in the city,” he said.
While the road hasn’t been easy, especially with the challenge of finding supportive venues, Slummies Comedy is steadily gaining ground.
Hawks Motorcycle Clubhouse in Buffalo Flats on Cardiff Road has become a consistent venue partner, giving Brown and his team a reliable stage.
Looking ahead, Brown hopes to build a thriving comedy circuit in the Eastern Cape.
“We want to make comedy part of East London’s cultural identity,” Brown said.
Slummies Comedy kicks off at 7.30pm at the Hawks Motorcycle Club on Cardiff Road on July 18.
Early bird tickets: R50 and at the door: R70
