Latest news with #PieterToerienTheatre
IOL News
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
From laughter to liberation: Conrad Koch talks 'Puppet Power' and comedy's role in tough times
Comedy duo Conrad Koch and Chester Missing are back to tickle the funnybone with 'Puppet Power'. Image: Supplied Catch 'Puppet Power', the national tour by comedy duo Conrad Koch and Chester Missing, is coming to the Pieter Toerien Theatre at Montecasino for a limited run from July 10. Ahead of the show, 'Independent Media Lifestyle' caught up with Koch to unpack his journey in the industry, especially with his socio-political commentary that has left Mzansi in stitches. When asked how the evolution of current affairs-driven comedy influenced his latest show, "Puppet Power", he said: 'With the rise of TikTok and other high-reach, high-impact social media, we as comedians have tools we never dreamed of. 'And in this watershed moment in history as far as conversations on race and colonialism globally and in SA, and the influence of the billionaire class turning even Donald Trump and Cyril Ramaphosa into puppets of sorts, the question of power, and in particular 'Puppet Power' has never been more relevant.' He was then asked about what he enjoyed most about leveraging the power of laughter to offset the heaviness of real life. He said: 'South Africans have survived the unimaginable, and having an opportunity to poke fun at the systems that made that happen, to say what many would like to say, via jokes, is a privilege I both do not take lightly and also approach with extreme silliness. 'The reaction and support Chester and I get from ordinary South Africans is incredible and deeply appreciated.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Chester Missing and Conrad Koch bring back the funny. Image: Supplied He confessed that he never envisioned Chester achieving such widespread acclaim when he first brought him to life. 'Never in a million years did I imagine I'd have a puppet who would be allowed to interview an actual president. It's nuts,' he laughed. As for the new puppets he will be unleashing in his new show, he shared: 'I am super excited for audiences to meet the new characters in this show. I have a celebrity chef rat who used to cook for Donald Trump. He's delightful and new. "My high school teacher, Mr Dixon, is easily Chester's match for comedy clout on stage, although, with Chester's huge social media presence, it may take a while to catch up. Don't tell the puppets I said that.' When asked about the '99% silliness with a dash of satirical truth' in his press release, he explained: 'In the past, my shows were very political, with the likes of Pieter-Dirk Uys shaping my vision. "These days, I have made the shows far more accessible - your 12-year-old will love the show, while still saying what needs to be said about South Africa and global affairs. 'We go from nailing these fake Afrikaner refugees to turning someone in the audience into a talking dinosaur, and more. South Africans want to laugh. So laughter is what they will get.' Having kicked off his tour in a few smaller rooms in Cape Town, Koch also recently received a Standard Bank Ovation Award for it at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda. Where: Pieter Torien Theatre, Montecasino When: July 10 to 13. His upcoming tour dates include: Cape Town (Strand): The Drama Factory, July 24 - 25. George: George Arts Theatre, August 8 Prince Albert: The Showroom Theatre, August 9 Noordhoek: Café Roux, August 15 Durban: Rhumbelow Durban Umbilo12, September 14 Rhumbelow: Northlands, September 19 - 20 Howick: The Old Mushroom Farm, September 11 East London: Legends Exclusive Venue, October 2 Gqeberha: Southern Sun, The Marine, October 3 St Francis Bay: St Francis Bay Brewing Company, October 5
Time Out
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Conrad Koch in Puppet Power
South Africa's double Emmy-nominated ventriloquist Conrad Koch is back on stage – and yes, Chester Missing will be there too. Alongside the sharp-tongued puppet, audiences can expect a few new characters, including a rat who thinks he's a celebrity chef (meet Gordon Ratsy), DJ Hoodie and Mr Dixon, among others. Running for four nights at the Pieter Toerien Theatre at Montecasino (10-13 July), the show dives into everything from global politics and celebrity nonsense to the chaos of social media and the everyday absurdities of life in South Africa.
