Comedian Akbar Chaudry and Co leave audience in stitches

The artists often open up their hearts and insecurities for the world to laugh at

KARACHI: Perhaps it is true for all comedians that they derive their material from personal issues and daily observations. In a way, it is their way to cope with life and society. These artists often open up their hearts and insecurities for the world to laugh at. Although some topics have become clichéd enough to be covered by all comedians, they still manage to fill up time while adding some individuality to their experiences. Stand-up comedian Akbar Chaudry’s first comedy show was a mix of all of this.

Titled Curly Haired Comedy, the show, held at the Pakistan American Cultural Center, brought in a hall full of people. Even though fifteen minutes before the show the hall appeared mostly vacant, it became almost a houseful just before it began. Energy and anticipation filled the air. The sound of chuckles and laughter could be heard even before the show started as the audience geared up to get stomach aches from laughing too hard.

The show began and comedian Umar Ahmed walked on to stage for the opening act. A chubby young man with grey hair, Ahmed pointed out what everybody had been thinking: he can’t possibly be a comedian. But he was. Starting with the most obvious, he talked about his body and how that affects his relationship with women, occasionally bursting out a random one-liner about his visit to Muscat.

Hassaan Bin Shaheen followed it up by talking about violent childhood games in Pakistan that corrupt children, highlighting the difference between Gulistan-e-Jauhar and Defence boys. While this was entertaining too, the main event began when the improv comedy troupe LOL Waalay member entered the stage amid a huge applause and cheers. Chaudry hit upon a variety of topics, ranging from the Ding Dong bubblegum ad to petty things that trouble children. From taking a dig at Jauhar, to cracking jokes related to sex, alcohol and gay marriage, he inevitably turned the show into a not-so family friendly one.

But, what made his show interesting was the subtlety with which he pointed things out. Incorporating word play, puns and bringing up the kind of things we banter in close friend circles, Chaudry definitely tickled our funny bones.

There was, however, a point during the performance where he struggled to keep up and began rambling about friend-zoning boys. Nevertheless, he managed to ‘improv’ his way out of it by incorporating the age-old formula: involve the audience and take digs at them. Not that there is anything wrong, but it definitely worked in his favour as the crowd was in Chaudry’s hands by now.

As an audience, the climax of a performance is what forms the general opinion. The key is to end the gig with a bang and Chaudry did save the absolute best for the last. Talking about the strange things that happen in a typical Pakistani mosque, he hit upon the memories we have tried so hard to forget since the last time we went for prayers.  With great opening and mid acts, Chaudry delivered a show which you will definitely quote the next time you meet your friends at a local chai dhaba.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 14^th, 2016.

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