In fits of laughter!
Stand-up comedy at its best was what this show was all about!
Nazeem Hussain the award winning stand up Australian comedian, actor, and radio presenter of Sri Lankan-Muslim descent took the stage for his first performance in Sri Lanka - ‘NAZEEM HUSSAIN IS LEGALLY BROWN’, at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre recently.
The sound of jarring Sinhala music filled the auditorium. As the confused audience looked around, Danu hopped out of a three wheeler which had been driven right inside the auditorium. The loud noise wasthe tuk-tuk driver’s choice of music. Danu introduced the star of the evening, with his own witty sense of humour, and made the audience laugh even before the comedian got on stage.
The entrance of Nazeem Hussain was spectacular. This time it was the sound of the Papare bands that filled every corner of the auditorium. The ‘Oh! so familiar’ sounds of our very own Papare band excited the audience, and everyone was standing up and looking around wondering what was going to happen next. With the Papare came a parade of tuk-tuks with bright lights flashing. They wound themselves along some of the aisles until they came to the steps of the stage. This was definitely a unique start to the show!
Stepping out of one of the tuk- tuk amidst the fanfare and cheering, Nazeem greeted the audience and then the show began. Non-stop for seventy five minutes Nazeem went on and on and on. Lots of his jokes were about being brown amidst the white people in Australia. His illustration of incidents within the ‘brown families’ as he called them, was extremely funny. The jokes about ISIS were also hilarious. Then he went on with a little Bollywood humour.
He included the Prime Minister’s wife, Mrs. Maithri Wickremesinghe, who was a special invitee, in many of his jokes, and she responded in a truly sporty manner, and her usual pleasant smile.
A particularly funny story was how he was interrogated at an airport in the Unites States of America and what he had to face because he was a Muslim with a name like Nazeem. Listening to his story, you’d feel sorry for the interrogating officers as Nazeem seemed to have practically driven them round the bend. Throughout all this he was able to keep the audience totally captivated and laughing non-stop.
For seventy five minutes he had the undivided attention of the audience, which was a great achievement I would think!
After the show, leaving the auditorium, people were still laughing. “I’m not really brown, this is just vegemite”, was the line lots of the youngsters seemed to have caught on, repeating it to each other and joking about, on their way out. All in all it was a fabulous show, other than for the fact that it started 45 minutes late.
Nazeem is best known as creator and star of the hit Australian comedy television show ‘Legally Brown’ which has toured Adelaide, Brisbane, Tasmania, Antwerp, Paris and was sold out in London’s prestigious Soho Theatre.
We spoke to a few people in the audience to get their opinion of the show.
Mr. Hussain
I’m Nazeem’s father. We’ve been living in Australia for about 35 years. After completing a degree in science and a degree law, Nazeem was working as a legal consultant, and comedy was only a part time occupation. Now he does this on a full time basis. This is the first time he’s performing in Sri Lanka.
Clifford
Great show! It was very interesting. The start was also very unique with the Papare and tuk-tuks. So happy that a Sri Lankan has shot to international fame. I wish the organisers had started the show on time.
Chris
From the opening moment when the star arrived in a stunning parade of tuk-tuk’s, the packed audience knew they were in for special treat. Nazeem the Star delivered with international flair and skill. He shone the light in some dark corners of our world and made us laugh at ourselves, all at the same time. His observations of Melbourne, Sri Lanka and family lifethrilled the rapt audience. Legally Brown is the witty voice that sees the worldas it is and pokes fun at our frailties. No bras were thrown. I’m so glad I came for it.
Yuwanthaka
In the arena of comedy, this is the first person with roots in Sri Lanka who is doing so well. He’s all over YouTube and other social media. His TV series is so popular in Australia.
Shama
Excellent show. It’s not easy to keep people in fits of laughter for 75 minutes. He is really talented.
Zamani
Very creditable for him to go on for 1 hour and 15 minutes. That alone shows his talent, to hold the attention of the audience for so long. However, his jokes were based on the Australian minority. If he added more variety and added humour relevant to Sri Lanka it would have been better. Overall not as side splitting as expected.
Thanuja
This was my first stand-up comedy show and I really enjoyed it. Never a dull moment. He kept the audience entertained throughout the show. Everyone had a good laugh.
Shamir
‘I am not really brown, this is vegemite!’ Nazeem was HILARIOUS. His jokes were spot on and he kept the audience in fits of laughter throughout the show. Well done Nazeem!
Lakmali
I enjoyed the show. It was an evening full of entertainment. I’m sure my company would like to sponsor an event such as this.
Reviewed by Niro Waidyaratne
Photographs by Waruna Wanniarachchi
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