Global Comedy
Nexus Cabaret: Lion Arts Centre
Sat 8 March
Also Sat 15 March


There really is too much at the Fringe to see it all, especially when it comes to comedy, and part of the problem is that, apart from the big names, you might not know who's who to see them. 'Global Comedy' solves these two problems at once: you get to see five lesser-known comics in one 90-minute show. And they're all ethnic, so you can assuage your liberal bleeding heart at the same time.

The night is MC-ed by Sudanese stand-up Mujahid ("Muj") Ahmed, who has a very loose, easy-going style that keeps the night moving smoothly. The other five are enjoyably diverse: Jarrod Fitch, an English/Greek boy with a self-deprecating wit; Iraqi Mohammed Gihad, a rambling cab driver-cum-storyteller; Nick Sun, the Asian comedian who won't do Asian jokes; Lewis Gentry, the token white Aussie; and Jason Chong, who embraces his Chinese/Australian heritage for laughs.

My favourite has to be the absurd, slightly uncomfortable Sun. While the others make race jokes - except Gentry - he makes jokes about not making race jokes (and suicide), and demands to be booed off stage because he "gets off on rejection". But all six are good: funny, tight, and poking as much fun at themselves as they do at the predominantly white, middle-class audience.

That is one thing to remember: be prepared to leave your self-importance at home. A few people on Saturday were clearly uncomfortable at being confronted, but that's the deal. If we can't laugh at ourselves as well, then the joke really is on us.

Henry Nicholls