Laughter echoed throughout the confines of the National Cultural Center on Homestretch Avenue in Georgetown as a group of Guyana’s leading comedians took center stage for the 12^th season of ‘Nothing to Laugh About.’ With the final airing on Monday June 3^rd 2019, every aspect of this undeniable national treasure was pure gold.  Even its carefully crafted title is genius; a fitting paradox for the contents of the presentation.

“Nothing to Laugh About” is one of the most highly anticipated events on the local entertainment calendar today. The show is characterized by its tendency to push the envelope. This year’s presentations included a skit about marital and sexual problems and the struggles of married couples to keep their marriages exciting. With one look at acclaimed Guyanese Comedian Clemencio Goddette, in a Sexy Nurse’s Costume, and Linden “Jumbie” Jones, in his version of a “sexy get up”, you know this is going to be a hilarious moment. This skit also had the audience bellowing with laughter even before the entrance of super star, openly Gay comedian, Corwin Mars as the other woman.

 Previous airing of ‘Nothing TO Laugh About’

Religion and crime also took hits with skits about ‘commercialized gospel’ and an ‘attempted robbery’ respectively. Both were filled with exciting comedic punch lines and captivating narratives. A highlight of the programme, however, was a healthy dose of Guyanese folklore that was served by way of comedy icons Simone Persaud and Clemencio Goddette. They thrilled the audience with an authentic Guyanese style “buse out” complete with the characteristic over-the-top Guyanese animation and creative derogatory descriptions. This show would have been incomplete without a skit addressing the December 21^st passing of the No Confidence Motion against the ruling government. This was all that you would expect from the edgy cast of “Nothing to Laugh about”.

There were many stand outs from the coveted night including Jermaine Grimmond whose ability to bring a character to life is the definition of artistry in motion. Whether he was the scared criminal or the speech impaired male chauvinist he was truly a sight to behold. There were also many improvised acts that made the night memorable. Comedians Mark Luke Edwards and Radica Singh showcased their talents in the realm of standup comedy with audience engaging routines which made the patrons a part of the show. Linden “Jumbie” Jones also added his comedic genius to the mix when he transformed the prize giving ceremony into one of the biggest laughter inducing moments of the night.

 

 

Also, adding to the night’s ambiance was the dance competition that saw many young talented dancers competing to be “Nothing to Laugh About” dance champions. This ultra-competitive dance completion which saw two groups tying the previous night, culminated with the ultimate dance off taking place on the final airing of the programme. This was pure artistic gold and increased the entertainment value of the programme.

According to programme organizer Maria Benschop, this coveted event, that pioneers satire comedy in Guyana, began with a small team of seven persons; it was initially hosted at the Theatre Guild. However, as the popularity of the programme increased the location was changed to the National Cultural Center to accommodate the increasingly huge audience.

In an interview with Caribbean Entertainment Hub, Benschop explained that she has overcame many challenges to make the show the success it is today. Being new to theatre arts, she had a lot to learn but nevertheless has created quite a franchise with the show. She further explained that the cast and the production crew have grown immensely since its genesis where she was the sole script writer. There is now a team of writers who work in a family friendly atmosphere that sees each cast member contributing to the script and overall production.

Maria Benschop express her plans for a country wide “Nothing to Laugh about” tour and to take snippets of the show to International stages like St. Martins, United States and Toronto Canada. If you have missed ‘Nothing to Laugh About’ so far you need to be at one of the these airing of the programme.

Caribbean Entertainment Hub is restricted in our reporting from revealing much of the punch lines that would ruin the experience for those who are yet to witness this theatrical spectacle. We wish the organizers our best regards on this their 12^th production of ‘Nothing To Laugh About’.

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