This April, Melbournians will be the happiest people on earth as they will be able to go and watch some of the best comedians in the world! Particularly, those coming from an island well-known for its bad weather.
Indeed, I am crazy about British comedians. Clearly, French humorists are a disgrace next to our neighbors. We are simply unable to produce funny shows, the same way we do not have any good singers or bands.
Besides making me laugh till I cry, I enjoy watching these comedians being so British – in other words, struggling through life. Each of them cleverly enlightens us with how we should perceive la vie.
Jon Richardson and Jo Brand point out magnificently that being in a relationship is an insane commitment – true love is to be found in the heart of hating ourselves and our partner – should we have one.
From one season to another, Jimmy Carr and David Mitchell embody the definition of intelligent humor as well as Yo-Yo dieters: Double-chin, no more double-chin. Double-chin, no more double-chin…
Johnny Vegas, Bill Bailey, Sean Lock, Noel Fielding and the queen’s jester (Boris Johnson) are living proof that if Mother Nature has not been kind to you – i.e. you are physically weird – you can still make it in the UK. However, forget about the American dream and moving away from this island because you will be seen exactly as you are anywhere else.
Stephen Fry, who has an outstanding culture générale, reminds me each time he speaks in French that it is impossible for a human being to know everything. Yes, both his command of French and his accent are so bad that I do not even recognize my own language.
To my mind, Frankie Boyle with his devilish black humor incarnates à la perfection frustration. He is frustrated with himself for being a Scottish man who is unable to drink and he frustrates me, as I think he is hilarious. But I am unfortunately unable to understand half of what he says and the references he makes…
A month ago, I wrote my first fan emails to two comedians.
I sent this to Tom Basden:
“Hello,
Firstly, please allow me to say that I am quite fond of what you do … Do not worry, I can do you no harm as I live in Singapore.I am going to record short audio chronicles on my life as a French expat woman for a local radio in London. The purpose of my email is that, if you had time, would you mind giving me some tips, some feedbacks on some articles I have written? I know it is completely random and inappropriate to ask a favor to someone I have never met. But you are a human being whose humor has been recognized and acclaimed and who sings songs on YouTube with oily hair in a bathrobe, you seem to be the man for this job.”
And this to Tim Key:
“Bonjour,
Are you planning any time soon to perform here in Singapore? If so, I would be delighted to show you the best spots where to run 10 km, and I could easily gather 40 women to come and see you- they will not be virgins, and probably they will not want to open their legs to you… But hey, it will be as close as you can ever get to earthly paradise!And if Singapore was not part of your tour plan, as you know it is always sunny and hot here , and the phrase ‘economic recession’ does not belong to the Singlish vocabulary. You need some vitamin D and we need some real entertainment, please think about this win-win situation”.
Well you know what? They both NEVER replied. One word comes to mind: Cowards. NB. It is the name of one of their comedy acts.
British humor, British comedians, British shows make me – almost – want to be British! Unfortunately, I am quite attached to the sexiness that the French citizenship gives me. But this April, I will be very frustrated not to be living in Melbourne. Have fun!
For more information about the Melbourne International Comedy Festival visit the website: www.comedyfestival.com.au