Looking for a laugh-out-loud night out in Johannesburg? South Africa’s most outrageous puppet and his sharply funny sidekick are back on stage. Award-winning ventriloquist Conrad Koch and his no-filter alter ego Chester Missing are kicking off their national Puppet Power tour in Johannesburg with a four-night run at the Pieter Toerien Theatre at Montecasino from 10–13 July 2025.
Puppet Power is set to be a bold blend of satire, silliness and social commentary, served up in a way only Koch and Chester can pull off. The show tackles everything from global politics and celebrity culture to social media madness and South African quirks, with new puppets, returning favourites, and plenty of unexpected moments.
“This show is 99% silliness with a dash of satirical truth,” says Koch. “We’re all puppets in some way, in our jobs, relationships, and definitely in politics. Chester Missing is just frustrated about being stuffed in a suitcase. Puppet Power is his revolution.”
Expect a brand-new cast of characters, including Gordon Ratsy (a celebrity chef who’s also a rat), a talking dinosaur animated live by a member of the audience, and some beloved regulars like Hilton the party-loving ostrich, DJ Hoodie the puppet DJ, and Mr Dixon, everyone's least favourite schoolteacher. The show pokes fun at everything from Elon Musk’s X obsession to “robots” (aka traffic lights) and airline life jackets on FlySafair.
While Koch’s signature political punchlines are still there, he says Puppet Power is first and foremost a comedy show, big on belly laughs and pure joy. “People are hungry for laughter,” he says. “We’ve all been through so much. This show leans into joy and absurdity, with a touch of commentary for those who want it.”
The Johannesburg run is the launchpad for a countrywide tour, with confirmed stops in Cape Town, Durban, Makhanda (at the National Arts Festival), George, East London, Gqeberha, and more. But for now, all eyes are on Montecasino, one of the best places in Johannesburg to catch live theatre and comedy.
“We’re especially excited to return to Montecasino,” Koch adds. “It’s always a highlight, with an incredible audience energy.”
Even Chester had something to say: “Thank you for asking — finally! Conrad is a hack who rode my career to fame. This show is about me. I'm the funny one!”
Looking for more things to do in Johannesburg this July? Check out Events: What’s on in Johannesburg
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