The Cape Town International Comedy Festival enters its second decade with a line-up that sees international stars Mario Joyner, Sugar Sammy, Daliso Chaponda, Kitty Flanagan and Rob Rouse joining local talent Nik Rabinowitz and Trevor Noah.

Fresh from Chris Rock?s 'No Apologies' world tour, Mario Joyner takes up the reins as the host of the Main Arena ? the popular main stage of the Comedy Festival held at the Baxter. Renowned for his uncanny ability to see hypocrisy and the sheer ludicrousness of everyday situations, Joyner?s easy delivery and laidback style disguise a razor-sharp wit.

Comic superstar Sugar Sammy returns to the Comedy Festival after hosting the Main Arena in 2006. Since appearing in the Mother City two years ago Sammy has opened for Dave Chappelle and been voted the number one stand-up for the last three years by the readers of The Montreal Mirror, the city?s top entertainment weekly.

Starting out as a DJ on YFM, Trevor Noah's sense of humour moved him into comedy on a full-time basis. Remembered for his never-say-die attitude en route to the finals of the second season of SABC 2's 'Strictly Come Dancing', Noah?s comedy career highlights include opening for Canadian comic Russell Peters and crooner Julio Iglesias.

Noah is joined by fellow South African Nik Rabinowitz whose multilingualism and flair for comedy pinpoint topics that unite all South Africans ? as demonstrated at last year?s Comedy Festival.

Australian Kitty Flanagan is a regular headliner at the UK's London Comedy Store and has appeared on numerous popular television shows in her homeland. Flanagan has travelled the world, performing in festivals and comedy clubs everywhere from Paris to Berlin, Dubai to Tokyo and Canada to Cannes.

Representing the UK at this year?s Festival is Rob Rouse. He first made his name on the live circuit, winning Channel 4's 'So You Think You're Funny?' competition at the Edinburgh Festival in 1998. As part of the comedy trio Big and Daft, Rob took three shows to the Edinburgh Festival. Since striking out on his own, Rouse?s solo shows have led to appearances in BBC comedy shows and is currently developing his own sketch show 'Daft Punch' for ITV.

Daliso Chaponda hails from Malawi, but has become an international man of comedy after moving to the UK where he established himself on the local circuit. Chaponda achieved critical acclaim in Canada for his one-man show 'Feed This Black Man' and a spot at Montreal?s Just For Laughs Festival in 2005.

Beyond the Main Arena, comedy enthusiasts can again see the most popular acts at the Best of the Festival shows on Sundays the 7, 14 and 21 of September.

Hosted by Canadian comic sensation, Sugar Sammy, this 'One Stop Comedy Showcase' allows festival audiences to sample comedians from the Main Arena as well as the Danger Zone which this year features Puppetry of the Penis, hosted by '3 Non-Blondes' star Ninia Benjamin.

Tickets for all shows at the Cape Town International Comedy Festival, which runs at the Baxter from 9 to 21 August, are available at Computicket.