Conrad Koch Brings Puppet Chaos To Joburg With Chester’s Got Talent

The award-winning South African ventriloquist brings his interactive puppet talent show to Montecasino, where Joburg audiences get to judge the talent – and face Chester Missing

Johannesburg audiences are about to experience 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. The interactive comedy show puts the audience in charge, as a wonderfully unpredictable cast of puppets competes for their approval.

Following a standout year that saw Koch receive 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 is no ordinary talent competition.

The contestants are puppets. The audience is the judge.

Joburg Gets To Judge Chester’s Got Talent

At the heart of Chester’s Got Talent is a live puppet talent show where audience participation helps shape the performance.

Guests can react, judge and have their say as each character takes to the stage. The interactive format means no two performances are quite the same.

And with Chester Missing involved, keeping things under control was never really an option.

South Africa’s famously outspoken puppet is joined by a collection of bizarre and hilarious characters, each convinced they deserve their moment in the spotlight.

Among the hopeful contestants are Gunter the German Mosquito, showing off his questionable xylophone skills; Hilton the Ostrich, a dramatic bird determined to make his mark as a singer; and DJ Hoodie, a puppet who actually DJs.

Then there is Mr Dixon, a high school teacher who believes he can outdo Conrad at ventriloquism, alongside Paul die Krokodil and a few unexpected additions – including human puppets pulled directly from the audience.

A Comedy Show Where Anything Can Happen

For Koch, the interactive format is exactly what makes Chester’s Got Talent so entertaining.

“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, sees things a little differently.

“I am obviously the star. Conrad is just the guy holding me.”

The result is a fast-paced comedy experience combining Koch’s trademark ventriloquism, character comedy and satire with the energy and spontaneity of a live talent competition.

A Lighter Side Of Chester Missing

While Chester Missing has become famous for his sharp observations and outspoken personality, Chester’s Got Talenttakes a lighter approach.

The production gives audiences an opportunity 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 performances follow the production’s successful run at the 2026 National Arts Festival, where Chester’s Got Talent received a prestigious Gold Ovation Award.

The accolade forms part of a strong year for Koch, who also received a Comic’s Choice Award for Innovation in Comedy and was nominated for the Impact Creator Award at the Content Creator Awards.

Conrad Koch And Chester Missing

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 are already a Chester Missing fan or discovering Conrad Koch’s work for the first time, Chester’s Got Talentpromises an evening of comedy, audience participation and unpredictable puppet chaos.

The talent is questionable. The competition is fierce. The audience gets the final say.