7 months ago
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On April 28, Clement and Michael Small will be looking to accomplish two major goals.
Firstly, the brothers hope to successfully pull off another staging of their popular Come Av A Laugh comedy show, set to take place at the Courtleigh Auditorium in St Andrew.
The event, which has been a staple in the comedy scene since the early ‘90s, features a star-studded line-up which calls on veteran comedians like Fancy Kat and Leighton to dish out a “belly full of laughs”.
However, the second, and arguably most important goal the Smalls hope to achieve, is to shed positive light on the world of stand-up comedy and its industry players.
In a conversation with The Gleaner, the Small brothers shared some of the difficulties they’ve faced on their journey while trying to achieve goal number-two.
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“One of the biggest issue problems we have right now is sponsors. We still do it for the love, because love the idea of making people laugh. But we need sponsors to come onboard to help us – and we haven’t gotten any sponsors so far,” Clement said.
“Everyone we approach to try and get them onboard, it falls through. So that is one of our main issues right now,” he continued.
Clement, his brother Michael, and a friend of theirs, Michael Lewin, serve as the directors of Come Av A Laugh and have been around since the show’s earlier days when it was named Comedy Fest.
The directors explained their hard work and dedication has taken them to several parishes, including Manchester, Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, and St Ann – leading them to being crowded Comedy King Pins.
But the work doesn’t stop there.
“We just want people to come out and enjoy themselves. And not just the adults either! We want the children of all ages to come out and enjoy what Jamaica has to offer.
While the directors set out to put the finishing touches on the show’s details, two of the comedians set to perform, Alton ‘Fancy Kat’ Hardware and Kathy ‘Tan Deh Deh’ Grant have already started applauding the leadership team for their dedication.
“Anybody keeping a comedy show in Jamaica is a plus – because we don’t have a lot. Whenever I get the chance to perform stand-up comedy specifically, I really appreciate it and look forward to doing it. And the Small brothers are one of those persons that have kept consistent,” Fancy Kat told The Gleaner.
“They keep giving people like me work – and I mean people that are established already and have some recognition, so I really appreciate it.”
Grant echoed a similar sentiment about the Smalls.
“I am excited working with the Smalls; it’s not my first time. But, I love their shows, which are always clean and have a more mature audience and I love that. My style of comedy involves a lot more of relating to older Jamaican traditions and culture and their shows give me an opportunity to do that,” Grant said.
The two are set to entertain next to the likes of Nyah, Mr Handsome, Boasy Boy Floyd and others, and the directors have made it clear this isn’t a show persons want to miss.
“Trust me, our shows are always packed, and we always have good support. So, we just want people to come out on time. You don’t want to miss your seat or your chance to see some really good comedy. And mek sure yuh nuh eat nuh food, or yah go laugh it out,” Clement Small said.
English (US) ·