– Jason Byrne’s cancellation last week left a huge international gap in the festival program. I went through all the contacts from both Finland and abroad. I was surprised that Mike Perrin Worldwide, the UK’s largest comedy producer company, contacted me in March. Now I’m going to London to meet them at the end of this month, says the producer of Kuopio comedy festival, Juha Jylhäsalmi.
– Ari Eldjarn, who also performs in Kuopio, works via Mike Perrin Worldwide. Last Friday I got a message that Loyisa has two weeks free from the beginning of June. Thanks to Eldjarn, they promised to help the producer in trouble. This was how I got Gola booked to the festival.
Emmy nominated comedian
London-based Gola’s career has been uplifting and it has taken him to big stages and TV productions. For example, in 2017, he performed at Sugar Sammy International Gala, which was sold out. It was also shown on Canadian TV. Besides him, there were seven comedians, all huge stars in their home countries, and one of them was Ismo Leikola, the worlds funniest man.
In 2017, Gola also debuted with his own solo at the most important comedy event of the world, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In his home country, South Africa, he hosts his own TV show, Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola. His TV show has been twice as an Emmy nominee in international TV category.
Last year Gola was invited to all major stand up events in the world. This spring he has performed his own solo at Melbourne International Comedy Festival and Soho Theater in London.
More information
Producer Juha Jylhäsalmi, Kuopio comedy festival (Kuopion Komediafestivaali), +358 40 571 5231, email: [email protected]