Some say “laughter is the best medicine” while others say “laughter is the cheapest medicine”.
BY SILENCE CHARUMBIRA
While both statements are true, they are truer to Clive Chigubu, a comedian from Bulawayo.
Born the only child to a single parent, the young artist grew up creating imaginary friends, an experience he says moulded him into what he is today.
“I was always alone doing nothing but creating imaginary friends and that has made the stage quite normal for me,” said Chigubu.
Starting off as a theatre actor has made the job even easier for the hilarious comedian.
Chigubu started acting while in high school when he formed what they called the Jeepers Makers with classmate and friend Mayibongwe Sibanda in 2008.
Chigubu and Sibanda won an award the same year with their play What Happened at the Bus Stop at the Amakhosi Dream to Fame competition.
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After the award, Chigubu had to start afresh when Sibanda left for South Africa and that marked the beginning of his career as a stand-up comedian.
“My director for the play, Tswarelo Mothobe inspired me to start stand-up comedy and everything started falling into place as I was invited to perform at Amakhosi Elite 400 by Cont Mhlanga,” he said.
“After that it has been one festival after the other and I cannot believe I am already two years old in the industry.”
Theatre training, an added advantage
Chigubu (22) is arguably one of the youngest stand-up comedians locally.
Gifted with convincing eloquence and irresistible charm, the young man has grown to be a force to be reckoned with on the local front.
The ease with which he delivers his lines is unimaginable as he manages to throw in a punch line or two in every conversation.
He stole the hearts of many when he performed at the recently-ended Protest Arts International Festival with his ludicrous set.
Asked who he really is, at first he jabbed: “A porn star!”
That is Chigubhu for you.
“It all has to do with my theatre background. Of course I am humbled by the support I get from the older guys who have become my family. I have benefited from that and of course I am the most handsome of them all,” he says with a chuckle.
Born on August 13 1990, Chigubu says stand-up comedy has taught him to take life lightly.
“I used to be afraid of death but now I can joke about it and I have learnt to accept that it is part of life.”
In the next few years Chigubu says he will be getting into commercial work in the corporate world.
“I am engaging various companies and the deals will see me appearing in advertorials but ultimately I am working towards a sitcom.”
And the parting shot: “Science teaches us how the world was made, the Bible teaches us how to find joy and comedy welcomes us to that joy.”
