The self-styled kings of laughter are back with their annual Christmas offering. They tell Ramona Depares to expect more wackiness in The Comedy Knights Christmas Cavalcade.

They are the same people who came up with Dingle Bells Malcolm Smells and, if the latter is anything to go by, their new Christmas production is likely to have the audience sniggering away merrily at a series of politically-incorrect jokes of dubious taste that, let’s face it, most of us adore. Put it this way, it’s a bit like panto, without the kiddie offerings.

This year, the production comes under the umbrella The Comedy Knights Christmas Cavalcade, and brings back Wesley Ellul, Chris Dingli and Marc Cabourdin to spearhead a team of comedians whose humour spans diverse styles.

What is the concept behind Comedy Knights?

Chris Dingli: We wanted to create a fast-moving set of sketches and songs that are original, locally topical and aimed at an adult audience.

Marc Cabourdin: The concept is very simple. Laughter! Having a great time out at the theatre and enjoy a laugh a minute comedy show.

Wesley Ellul: Essentially, our core motive is the same as Hugh Heffner’s was when he created playboy… we just want to spread happiness throughout the land! But honestly the idea was to create a professionalised concept of sketch show… using a large pool of creative people, both actors and writers, which could lead us out to having a show which runs for years on end… This show is a sort of test run.

What makes it different from other seasonal productions?

C: It’s not panto, it’s not stand-up comedy and it’s not improvised comedy. It’s original, local humour aimed at an adult audience. Malta is a funny place and the Maltese have an awesome sense of humour. We’re simply putting those two elements together on stage.

M: We are not re-inventing the wheel here, but pushing the limits of its design!

W: It’s different in that there are many different voices driving the comedy. Essentially, it’s a variety show, playing to different types of humour, so there is really something for everyone.

What can the audience expect?

C: Scene after scene of recognisable situations, personalities and songs that are full of jokes, put together in a way that will give the audience as great a time as possible. We’re not tied down to telling a story or sticking to a format – we’re free to do anything that is funny and that’s what we’re aiming to deliver.

M: Bags of laughter, and a good opportunity to laugh at themselves. The show will be very alive and real. The structure allows for staple sketches, as well as last-minute changes in terms of context and material. In essence once we are dabbling in satire, the show will be fresh.

W: What they said, along with a mankini worn by one of our intrepid thespians!

Your own favourite part of the show?

C: Rehearsals are always good fun. The scripts are always made funnier when the actors get involved. Each actor brings something special to the role, and suddenly the jokes come alive. It’s hearing them being spoken out for the first time, just like the audience will, except that by the time the audience hear them, they will be even better.

M: What I love about the show is its versatility. That is the beauty of having such a large pool of writers and comedians.

W: I honestly do not know… yet. Until it’s on the floor, you will never know which one will kill you. And that is not counting the fact there will be lots of changes and even more hilarious bits thrown in!

It’s original, local humour aimed at an adult audience

What makes good comedy?

C: Lot’s of hard work. Coming up with ideas, refining them, then testing them, then constantly trying to make them better. If they’re not working (and many of them don’t) you must be prepared to throw them away and start over. We’ve done that before and it has always served us well.

M: Precision and specificity.

W: A willingness to take risks, a good ear for what’s happening around you and supportive people who are ready to listen to the jokes that don’t work… but then some good comedy is inexplicably funny, like the thought of George Pullicino in a thong. There is nothing implicitly wrong with it – but it just is a hilarious picture.

The biggest challenge in creating this?

C: Everything. Writing original material is never easy. Persuading people to come and see it is also a challenge. The fact that we have a great track record of producing good comedy keeps the stakes high as people expect an excellent show (and quite rightly too).  It’s positive pressure, I guess. I never take any production for granted and am always relieved when people show up, laugh and have a great time.

M: I would say it’s the logistics of it. The work started months back. The challenge was having to sift through the material and nurturing the right balance for each piece. The hardest part, I would say, was having to put together all the concepts, ideas and material into one cohesive juggernaut. We made a good job of that.

W: Working with a large team of people who all are doing this in their free time makes it a harder scenario. Add into the mix one of your team living abroad, and you have a tough cookie to crack. Then add me, disorganisation personified, and what you find is a whole comedy of errors in itself.

The Comedy Knights Christmas Cavalcade runs at the Salesians Theatre, Sliema, between December 26 and 30.

www.ticketline.com.mt

Ready, steady, gag

This year’s Comedy Knights give us their best jokes.

Chris Dingli: My travel bag containing my tuxedo was stolen. Police say it was a suitcase.

Wesley Ellul: Children in the dark make accidents, but accidents in the dark make children.

Jo Caruana: What do you call a hippy’s wife? Mississippi.

Steve Hili: Bormla was feeling horny. Birgu got excited and said ‘Isla ħej!’

Pia Zammit: What do you call a fly without wings? A walk.

Colin Fitz: What do you get when you cross the Godfather with a philosopher? An offer you can’t understand.

Matt Bonanno: Two goldfish are in a tank. One turns to the other and says: “How the hell do you drive this thing?”

Vikesh Godwani: Before I criticise a man, I like to walk a mile in his shoes. That way, when I do criticise him, I’m a mile away and I have his shoes.

David Chircop: So a baby seal walks into a club…

Philip Leone Ganado: I hate telling jokes about kleptomaniacs because they always take things literally.