South Africa’s award-winning comedy ventriloquist, Comic’s Choice Award winner and Gold Ovation Award recipient, brings his puppet talent competition to Montecasino, and Joburg audiences get to decide who has what it takes
Johannesburg audiences are about to see a very different kind of talent show.
From 1–4 October 2026, award-winning ventriloquist and comedian Conrad Koch takes over the Pieter Toerien Theatre at Montecasino with Chester’s Got Talent, a wild puppet talent show where Joburg gets to call the shots.
Following a standout year that saw Koch take home the Comic’s Choice Award for Innovation in Comedy and a Gold Ovation Award at the 2026 National Arts Festival for Chester’s Got Talent, the acclaimed ventriloquist is taking the production on a national tour, with Johannesburg next in line.
But this isn’t your average talent competition.
The contestants are puppets. And the audience is the judge.
At the heart of Chester’s Got Talent is a live puppet talent show where audiences get to decide what they think of each performer. They can react, judge and have their say as the characters take to the stage, making the show unpredictable from one performance to the next.
And with Chester Missing involved, keeping things under control was never really an option.
South Africa’s famously outspoken puppet is joined by a cast of bizarre and hilarious characters, each convinced they deserve their moment in the spotlight.
Chester is joined by a cast of hilarious and completely unpredictable puppets, including:
● Gunter the German Mosquito, showing off his questionable xylophone skills
● Hilton the Ostrich, a dramatic bird attempting to make his mark as a singer
● DJ Hoodie, the puppet who actually DJs
● Mr Dixon, a high school teacher who thinks he can outdo Conrad at ventriloquism
● Paul die Krokodil
● And a few unexpected surprises, including human puppets pulled from the audience
For Koch, the show’s interactive format is what makes every performance different.
“Chester’s Got Talent is what happens when your puppets stop listening to you,” says Koch. “The audience gets to be the judges, so they’re not just watching a show, they’re part of it. You never quite know what the audience is going to say, or what Chester is going to do with it.”
Chester, naturally, has a different perspective.
“I am obviously the star. Conrad is just the guy holding me.”
The result is a fast-paced, feel-good comedy experience that combines Koch’s trademark ventriloquism, character comedy and satire with the energy of a live talent competition.
While Chester Missing is known for his sharp observations and outspoken personality, Chester’s Got Talent takes a lighter approach, creating an opportunity for audiences to switch off, laugh and enjoy a night out together.
“There’s enough serious stuff happening in the world,” says Koch. “This is about bringing people together and having a good time. And if you’re going to have an opinion about Chester, you might as well tell him to his face.”
The Johannesburg leg follows a successful run at the 2026 National Arts Festival, where Chester’s Got Talent received a prestigious Gold Ovation Award.
The accolade adds to a standout year for Koch, who was also recognised with a Comic’s Choice Award for Innovation in Comedy and nominated for the Impact Creator Award at the Content Creator Awards.
With more than 130 million TikTok views and two International Emmy nominations, Koch has built a career around pushing the boundaries of comedy, ventriloquism and digital content. His most recognisable creation, Chester Missing, has become a cultural figure in his own right.
Now, Chester is heading to Johannesburg, and he wants to know whether Joburg audiences have what it takes to judge him fairly.
Whether you’re already a Chester Missing fan or discovering Conrad Koch’s work for the first time, Chester’s Got Talent promises an evening of comedy, audience participation and unpredictable puppet chaos.
The talent is questionable. The competition is fierce. The audience gets the final say.
CHESTER’S GOT TALENT – JOHANNESBURG
Dates: 1–4 October 2026
Venue: Pieter Toerien Theatre, Montecasino
Tickets: R150–R220
Bookings: Webtickets
Direct link: Book tickets on Webtickets
WHAT THE CRITICS SAY
“Hilarious” – Mail & Guardian
“Fiercely intelligent… Frenzied Hilarity” – The List, UK
“My face hurt from laughing so hard” – Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
ABOUT CONRAD KOCH
Conrad Koch is a multi-award-winning comedian and South Africa’s premier ventriloquist, best known for combining sharp satire, character comedy and ventriloquism to create a style that is uniquely his own.
With more than 130 million TikTok views and two International Emmy nominations, Koch has performed across South Africa and internationally for audiences ranging from intimate comedy clubs to major theatres and festivals.
His most famous creation, Chester Missing, has become a cultural icon in his own right, known for his unapologetic commentary on politics, society and everyday life.
In 2026, Koch added a Comic’s Choice Award for Innovation in Comedy and a Gold Ovation Award at the National Arts Festival to his list of achievements, while Chester’s Got Talent continues to take his puppetry and comedy into a new live-show format.
SOCIAL MEDIA – CONRAD KOCH
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@
Website: https://www.conradkoch.co.za
SOCIAL MEDIA – CHESTER MISSING
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
X (Twitter): https://x.com/chestermissing
