BWW Reviews: Abundant Comic Entertainment in THE CHESTER MISSING ROADSHOW

THE CHESTER MISSING ROADSHOW is back in Cape Town at the Baxter Theatre, having played a season there earlier this year. Ventriloquist Conrad Koch appears on stage, under the direction of Heinrich Reisenhofer, with three of his puppet creations: the popular political analyst, Chester Missing; Hilary, an ostrich diva-cum-celebrity gossip columnist; and Ronnie the Monster, ostensibly the physical embodiment of Koch's subconscious mind. Together, this crazy quintet aims to deliver 'cutting edge social satire' with 'depth and dimension' that results in 'laugh -a-minute comedy madness'. While the show certainly delivers what it promises when it comes to laughs - as often from the heckling of a few front row audience members as from poking fun at politicians and celebrities - I was less convinced that the show was the satirical champion it makes itself out to be.

The most convincing observations made in THE CHESTER MISSING ROADSHOW are those that have to do with society. When Koch lands jokes about white people's claims to ubuntu or the realities about post-apartheid social interaction, he dons the mantle of a true satirist, one who not only ridicules society's failings but who also infuses his humour with the intent of shaming us out of our complacent attitudes. It is in these moments when the show becomes vitally political, even though the links to literal politics are distanced.

When THE CHESTER MISSING ROADSHOW tackles South African politics directly, Koch primarily uses Chester as the vehicle for his commentary. Chester gives voice to things at which Koch is able to tut-tut, apparently allowing Koch to get away with murder when it comes to his comments on President Jacob Zuma, other members of parliament and various badly-behaved individuals in the political arena.

My question is this: does Koch really get away with all that much? His remarks, while certainly provoking laughter from a consistently entertained audience, are shaped, streamlined and dumbed-down so as to appeal to middle class liberals, the kind of people who are satisfied that the African National Congress is corrupt and that the Democratic Alliance is flawed while still representing the only viable alternative. So while there are jokes about ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe, opposition leader Helen Zille also cops some flak as do the Pan Africanist Congress, Julius Malema and Kenny Kunene.

These are the kind jokes you hear in the lunch room at work all the time. Are they truly still funny? Or are we chuckling out of obligation, so devastated by our politics that we have to laugh so that we do not cry? Perhaps we are so accustomed to laughing at these figures, that we do it routinely. Whichever way you look at it, our political agency is dulled by this kind of humour. For the show to take on the depth and dimension it promises, the politics need to be a great deal more current than the generalised fare Chester is peddling. This past week alone we have seen the DA and the ANC trading what the CAPE TIMES called 'gangster vibes', the DA's Lindiwe Mazibuko being portrayed as an enfant terrible by anonymous members of her own party in the SUNDAY INDEPENDENT and further fallout from the ANC'S birthday celebrations last year reported in the MAIL AND GUARDIAN. All of these are fodder for up to the minute comedy, but that might require an audience that is more engaged in what is going on in South Africa. That could make the show a tougher sell, I suppose, but as we head into an election year, are those not precisely the kind of sharp-minded civilians we need at the polls for our democracy to be an effective one?

When Chester and his politics are returned to his box, the stage is left free for the antics of Hilary and Ronnie and THE CHESTER MISSING ROADSHOW settles into on a laid back mode that is entertaining in a more straightforward manner. Without the burden of satirical intentions, Koch uses the randy Hilary and adorable Ronnie to create two simply fantastic sets of pure comic diversion that keep the audience amused throughout. The laughs are many and should you attend THE CHESTER MISSING ROADSHOW, you will have a good time. Will it challenge you in the way that truly cutting edge social satire should? Probably not, but if you are looking for some pure comic entertainment, then you will receive it in abundance.

THE CHESTER MISSING ROADSHOW is currently running at the Golden Arrow Studio at the Baxter Theatre until 3 August. Tickets cost R90 - R130 and bookings can be made at Computicket. The show has an age restriction of PG13L.

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