Rock is a hit in Botswana

by Brian McKim & Traci Skene on November 6th, 2008

From Botswana comes this tale about two comics who have struck out on their own.

Ribcracker and MOD, the two Maitisong comedy club comics who have remained active since the club’s inception last year in June, have officially broken away from the club that helped cut their teeth as stand up comedians.
The two have enlisted a manager and launched their own club, “Laff a lil’, laff a lot” comedy jam.

It’s a story that the comics here in the U.S. can relate to (and that we’ve posted about on more than a few occasions)– comics come up in a club, take a disliking to this or that policy, then fire up their own damn venue. Even the comics halfway round the world have these problems and deal them with in much the same way.

This is especially interesting:

As for their material, Ribcracker says they do not intend to lighten up on their topics because that is the essence of stand up comedy, “Unfortunately, someone has to be the brunt of the jokes,” he says rather unapologetically.

“We do not insult our subjects or use swears words, maitseo ke selo sa ntlha,” he said. He recommends that people view them as they would a satirical cartoon or column in the newspaper. “Comedy is meant for laughter,” he said.

“We also hope that people also keep an open mind. We have had people come to our shows expecting material similar to Chris Rock‘s. We have unique styles and strengths,” says Ribcracker. “My partner MOD thinks on his feet, he engages the audience easily, speaking directly to them. While I do a lot of somersaulting of everyday mundane objects and issues.

Even the comics in Botswana are laboring under the expectations that they’ll perform material similar to (and in a style similar to) Chris Rock!

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