The two ladies have the attention of Jamaica's 'Steve Urkel' during 'Comedy Fest' at the Courtleigh auditorium on St. Lucia Avenue, New Kingston, last Saturday. - photos by Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Proving that most Jamaicans enjoy comedic battles, it was the audience that stole the show at 'Comedy Fest', held last Saturday night at the Courtleigh auditorium on St. Lucia Avenue, New Kingston.

The Jamco Entertainment Enterprise production was slated to start at 8 p.m. but was delayed, as the comedians patiently waited for tardy patrons to make their way to the venue.

Several early and disgruntled patrons who had found the 'right' Courtleigh auditorium were irate, clapping and complaining, as they argued during their wait. However as 9 p.m. approached, emcee 'Mas Jaspar' took the stage, easily appeasing the anxious crowd.

Craig McNally from Comedy Bus fame, proclaimed, "Good things come to those who wait; see mi yah!"

While McNally went through his routine, it was the audience that made it even more enjoyable as he got into a comedic spat with a woman from Portmore who could have been a comedian herself.

Know your place

The feisty McNally took on another lady but it was a little girl who accompanied her, that truly put him in his place with a warning.

Decked out in a tiara, she wrung her neck with attitude saying, "When yuh see mi daddy, yuh see what happen." At this point McNally jokingly backed off and said, "I was a teacher, mi nuh fraid fi lick pickney like yuh."

Prince Edwards, a founding father of Jamaican comedy, followed McNally. After coming on stage singing, Edwards popped a few quick cracks which had the audience laughing and made a quick exit.

Decked out in orange socks, short pants, vest, big glasses and a bent tie, Jamaica's own 'Steve Urkel' was next with his signature squeaky voice saying, "did I do that?" after each joke.

Despite his nerdy appearance, Urkel proved quite adept at charming the ladies, as he bent on his knees and told a woman, "Hey baby if I was kissing you it would be like KFC - nobody does it better. Like bmobile it feels good. When we're finished kissing it feels like Pepsi, you'll keep asking for more."

Leighton Smith, also from the Comedy Bus, wrapped up the first half of the night as he posed for the cameras and told the crowd his stories of the police, court, his woman and more.

'Mix up Entertainment'

( L - R ) Smith and Edwards

The winner of the Comedy Bus, Gunther, took the stage with a start, taking the microphone from Mas Jaspar as no man must introduce him, he can introduce himself, which he did in fine style. Gunther reported news from his 'Mix up Entertainment' which incorporated the names of dancehall deejays into a humorous tale upon which Lady Saw called the police station to talk to Lieutenant Stitchie but got a 'busy signal' and 'voicemail'.

"Not because I do comedy, I'm not a funny man." Despite technical difficulties when his mic went out, Gunther gave a decent show bringing much laughter from the audience.

Mas Jaspar gave his part between introducing the acts, as he and more than a few audience members went back and forth insulting each other.

After giving a sexually explicit joke a lady from Portmore was quick to voice her opinion.

"If yuh can't rise to the occasion, yuh haffi bow to the service," she commented at which Jaspar responded to many forwards from the audience, "I is not your man!"

Comedian Christopher 'Johnny' Daley took the stage and the fun continued. From start to finish Johnny had the crowd near tears as he expertly joked about persons on the 'borderline' in dancehall, comedy and crime. As the crowd filed out after 11:00 p.m., they undoubtedly had a good time interacting with their favourite comedians.