COMEDIAN Frank Chirisa celebrated his fifth anniversary as a stand-up comedian at the weekend in Bulawayo.
The intimate and closed affair was held at Hillside Walk, in the leafy suburb of the Skies city.
One after the other, comedians took to the stage to crack jokes in the build-up to Chirisa’s turn.
After the laughs and tears of joy, he told NewsDay Life & Style how his journey has been, describing it as an uphill struggle littered with more cons than pros.
“It’s been more lows than highs. I have had my fair share of losses, fair share of mistakes, but my highs have been something great to hold on to,” he said.
“I have had nights where people don’t laugh at my jokes and that made things awkward for me because I would be standing on the spotlight right in front of them.
“That tampers with one’s confidence. I have missed out on awards where I expected to be involved, and have faced serious rejection. There are times when I have been omitted from shows deliberately.”
But all that has made him resilient and self-dependent, he says.
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“I am now able to do my own shows and create my own platforms. I even mentor my own protégés now.”
Last year, Chirisa pulled off the biggest live comedy show in the city at Bulawayo Theatre, which he said was historical.
“I’m happy with where my brand is now. We are still setting the foundation for international opportunities, but it’s more bookings, more networks,” he said.
“I’m funnier and I’m happier. Right now, I’m just on the road, city to city and country to country working on material for my upcoming national tour set for August.
“To up-and-coming comedians, I say keep working on your material, be funny first and things will get better.”
Some of Chirisa’s industry colleagues who turned up for the celebrations included ZiFM talk show host Khayelihle Moyo, comedian CJ Zulu, Brandon Masuku, Stixx (from Masvingo) and Sindiso the Poet, rappers Cuniva & Paris Knight as well as Wilfred from AmpStreet and Vuyie from Byo podcast.
