His grand entrance to the stage was epic as he walked past the audience.
Actually, he says, ‘Wait, let me start again’. Walks back stage and takes on stage with a standing ovation from the audience with lit camera phones, takes the mic off its stand, and unwraps his set.
Though one-person shows aren’t a new phenomenon, MC Kash Owakabi is the first comedian to stage a one-man show in a big way in Northern Uganda. For much of his career, MC Kash has been the kind of stand-up comedian whose weekly Friday shows have set him apart in Gulu. Becoming a comic his fans will hang around to watch from the back of the room.
This was no different this time. His recent solo show – ‘Jokes of a Life Forcer’ – held on September 2 saw him take his act a step further. He understood that a slightly crowded space – at Bomah Hotel – would help induce laughter, and he indeed achieved that.
The show had a large degree of audience participation and was wonderfully provocative, an affirmation that comedy as a form of entertainment has become more popular than ever. The turn up told of the hunger for a good laugh.
The set up was such that the sound reverberated around the room, the low ceiling decorated with beautiful curtains that the sound of laughter and applause made his audience feel less self-conscious only to throw themselves into the show.
One of MC Kash’s gifts is his ability to take a perspective on a situation that adds to the story simply by its vantage point. Enabling those in the audience to realize how easy it can be to break down monumental subjects if approached with a lively sense of humor.
He also seemed like he’s finally where he’s supposed to be. You could see that he’s so knowledgeable and passionate while he performed. He has to give you everything, break the whole thing down. The fans got him at his most authentic, vulnerable, and comedic self on that stage.
He told stories about his school days and how it was hard to tell who was a student and who was a cook at St. Joseph’s College Layibi, a boys-only boarding middle and high school located in Gulu. Taking his contemporaries who attended the show, down memory lane.
His set also touched on life in the Covid-imposed lockdown, a comparison of breakups in Africa versus European artists, (him) forcing wealth during his childhood and what’s in a good name.
Citing for example why Gulu comedians’ careers have stagnated simply because of poor choice of names. In this particular piece, he joked about his other fellow comedian from the north ‘Banana Joe’ who was among the openers on Friday night.
The lineup for the evening hosted by Jacques Alur (from Zombo) also featured names like Dr Hilary Okello, Little Brian and TikToker Arc Angel.
Fair to say MC Kash is one to look out for among the latest crop of Uganda’s comics.
