Thirteen comedians will take the stage in front of a Mauritian audience on August 15 and 16 to celebrate thirty years of 100% Mauritian comedy—a popular genre in its own right, expressed with complete freedom through sketches, stand-up, parodies, and other impersonations. Dominique Bellier
In the 1990s, humor, jokes, and parodies were confined to private settings and a fewFancy Fairs…In late 1996, Rama Poonoosamy and Immedia held their first auditions to find the rare gems who would open for Georges Mathieu, who had come all the way from France.
The brilliant impressionist Sam Ammigan immediately made a name for himself with his talent for deciphering politicians’ distinctive personality traits and telltale mannerisms. He’s still just as hilarious as ever when impersonating Chacha, Ringadoo, or Jugnauth. Police officer Lindsay Mootien could hardly have dreamed of pursuing a career as an entertainer. His good-natured charm, his outlandish jokes—delivered with an unmatched sense of timing—also brought him to the forefront, and ever since their first appearance with Georges Mathieu, they have become leading figures in Mauritian comedy.
The show was such a hit that Immedia immediately expanded its auditions for its first 100% Mauritian comedy show featuring local artists. A few months later, a first troupe—featuring a 16-year-old named Yousoof Elahee—had the entire audience in stitches on the velvet seatsof thePort Louis theater… Sensing that these performances met a deep-seated need among the public, Immedia moved on to 200% Mauritian comedy at the Plaza…
The adventure was just beginning, for these initiatives would give rise to a new generation of comedians and a popular art form that explores the typically Mauritian sense of humor, scrutinizes our customs and little quirks, and gently pokes fun at the powers that claim to govern us. As a result, artists like Miselaine Duval were able to give free rein to their talent, laying the foundations for Mauritian comedy.
