We last spoke to comedian Carl Joshua Ncube back in 2013. Two years on, and with his next show looming, we decided it was time to see what’s been going on since then.
So last time we spoke you were talking about TV shows – how has that progressed?
Oh wow, has it been that long? So much has happened since then. I managed to produce my cooking show Carl Can Cook and have it show on ZBC TV . I did a few podcasts with my wife called Chilling with the Ncube. But what I’m very excited about is the next seasons of Carl Can Cook, and a reality show that is in the pipeline. It’s a music show and a documentary that we are working on with our partners Media Matrix Productions. 2016 is looking to be epic.
You do a lot of promotions for local brands. Do you think this could compromise your own voice?
In most cases the brands that I choose to promote or associate with tend to work hand in hand with what I think and believe in. I have tried to stay true to being able to still be me.
Can you tell us about where you’re living now and why?
We are living in Kadoma. We moved here about six months ago when an opportunity came about to take over the running of a boutique hotel called Cotton Country Inn . My wife and I have always looked to manage properties around the country under our Feel Good Zimbabwe banner, and here we are . We have two more properties in the pipeline in Bulawayo and Vic Falls so it’s pretty exciting times for us.
With so many different things going on, has your time on comedy been eroded? We’d hate to see it taking a back foot!
Not really although there is a lot to balance. I have tried to remain aware of and participate in the comedy scene both locally and regionally. I recently did a comedy tour in Cape Town where I was the headline act for five days at the Cape Town Comedy Club . After my show in Harare I have a club tour in SA and will also be part of the Johannesburg International Comedy Festival. I then have a couple more shows in Zimbabwe till year end, followed by a European tour early next year. So comedy is still on the forefront besides there is so much comedy happening around in Zimbabwe it would be irresponsible of me to ignore.
It’s being said that for comedians politics is no longer the most dangerous subject, having been replaced by religion. What has been your experience?
I think both kinds of comedy in Zimbabwe can be very precarious for a comedian and one needs to tread that line delicately. I have had encounters which have gone as far as death threats for a religious joke I may have cracked but I think Zimbabweans need to learn to lighten up and laugh at ourselves. Also, comedy as an art is fairly young in Zimbabwe, and as comedians we are learning and teaching audiences to appreciate this very necessary art form.
Not shy of controversy, Carl’s poster for his show next week shows him getting ready for a strong reaction.
Tell us about your next show.
It will be my first One Man show of the year which will be a little more risky than my previous performances as I’m looking to push the envelope a little bit further in terms of what is or isn’t allowed hence the title “DID CARL JUST SAY THAT?” The show is part of a documentary being filmed by Media Matrix Productions that will be coming out in early 2016. It is a comparison on what it’s like being a Zimbabwean stand up comedian in comparison to my counterparts from other countries like SA, Nigeria, UK etc. The show is on Thursday 1 of October at 5 Maasdorp Avenue Alex Park. It’s an awesome venue, so come and check it out.
DID CARL JUST SAY THAT; Thu 1 October 7pm; 5 Maasdorp Avenue ($10)
See www.carljoshuancube.com for more information.
