JAMES COSTELLO
I have a rather chequered past, having performed repeatedly with Joe Parker in Johannesburg at Carnival Ciy and Morula Sun casinos; as well as being the Gay Pride 2001 Host for the Johannesburg celebration for 18 000 people. I was also a finalist in the Sprite Soul Comedy competition in 2001, before becoming the resident cabaret MC at Caesars Casino Ladies Night. my training is in thatre arts from Lee Strasberg Theater Institute New York City; where i performed in 2 Comedy Games troupes, as well as co-hosting a cable tv talk show and a Madonna concert on HBO. I was also asked to contribute to BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS benefits. During this period (1993 - see below), i started doing stand-up at the New York Comedy Club.
I have been in Cape Town since 2006, performing my one-man Interactive Improvised Comedy show...''Sister Mary James presents...'', as well as numerous corporate launches, art exhibitions, tv shows, cabaret acts etc etc (see below)...
Performing History
2002 - Ladies Nights at Caesar's Casino, live give-aways for JAZZ CAFE (Johannesburg), live give-aways for Ocean Basket (Fourways, Montecasino), Stand-up Comedy with John Vlismas at COOL RUNNINGS(MELVILLE) and BLUES ROOM (SANDOWN), Stand-Up Comedy with Joe Parker (CARNIVAL CITY CASINO), ''IMPROV yourSELF'' [HOST, DIRECTOR and PRODUCER of interactive comedy games show (COMEDYSPORTZ) with ALL new comedians, open mic LIVE audience sessions AND audience-voted sponsored PRIZES {RED BULL, AZZURA fragrances (Stuttafords Rosebank), CD WHEREHOUSE, EXCLUSIVE BOOKS} in conjunction with THE YARD BREWERY, Zone@Rosebank], Guest Comic on tour for Mark Sampson's CAPE COMEDY COLLECTIVE (CCC) in Cape Town, Master of Ceremonies, Host and Ringmaster for LARGEST EVER SA COMEDY AUDIENCE (18 000 punters!) for 2002 GAY PRIDE South Africa ALL-DAY Mardi Gras, Johannesburg (Produced by PRIDE COMMUNICATIONS), IMPROV COMEDY GAMES player with Ian Fraser, Rob Napier & co;
2003 - Monsoon Lagoon Cabaret MC, Stand-up Comedy with John Vlismas @ COMEDY UNDERGROUND and BLUES ROOM, FINALIST in the 2003 FRESHEST 5 COMEDY COMPETITION and Celebrity MC for AVRIL ELIZABETH HOME CHARITIES @ SAINTS NIGHTCLUB for Mr and Miss Allenby Campus 2003;
2004 --Brand Manager for Toot-n-Scoot, , Live Director for reality-based show B on M-NET (local cable channel), 8-day roadshow in Johannesburg & Pretoria for First National Bank, corporate cabaret and stand-up comedy show for IT Service Management Forum @ Indaba Hotel-Johannesburg, Roadshow for First National Bank in Cape Town, South Africa, one-man show ''An Audience with James Costello'' @ Primi Piatti, Zone@Rosebank, Celebrity Host / MC for Toby Wright Art Exhibition Opening - ''Exquisite Corpse'', Stand-up Comedy with John Vlismas's Comedy Underground @ Cool Runnings, Melville, Production Co-Ordination with Urban Brew (TV), Cast Production Co-Ordination with Chaos Films for ''Kellogg's'';
2005 - Glamour Karaoke host @ Oh! Bar (Melville, Johannesburg), Stand-up Comedy with Matthew Stewardson @ New Melville Theatre, Johannesburg, Stand-up Comedy with Kedibone (NuBreed Comedy Jams) @ Horror Cafe, Newtown, Stand-up Comedy with Rabin @ Tornado's, Olivedale, Glamour Stand-up Comedy Host for Mother's Day @ Horror Cafe, Celebrity (!!) Judge for Crawford College, Lonehill's POP IDOLS 2005, Stand-up Comedy with Joe Parker @ Carnival City , DAKS (Pretoria / Tshwane), Stand-up comedy at Morula Sun, Stand-up Comedy with Rabin (Big Brother), Guest Artist on e-tv Soapie BACKSTAGE ;
2006 - Stand up comedy with Stuart Taylor and Paul Snodgrass, Ladies NIght MC @ Hanover Street, Grand West Casino Cape Town , one-person IMPROVISED Cabaret Comedy Revue as
SISTER MARY JAMES in ''SISTER MARY JAMES presents...''
2007 Guest Celebrity at Glen Cox Exhibition at Groot Constantia Estate, Various Private Corporate Clients in and around Cape Town ]