Stand-up comic Shazia Mirza on why she never jokes when travelling

Singapore — Be prepared for a no-holds barred, laugh out loud session when Kings and Queen of Comedy returns to Asia for its seventh year at the Esplanade Theatre this weekend. The stellar line-up of six comedians includes the likes of Hawaiian stand-up Paul Ogata, whom his peers consider as one of the best in the world. And the queen here is Shazia Mirza, who gained acclaim and infamy for her honest and provocative take on topics such as terrorism and jihadi brides. The former science teacher is unapologetic about her brand of humour. “Race and religion are sensitive topics everywhere — they’re sensitive topics in my house.” the Brit wit said. “All I know is that people are not stupid, and they want to hear the truth about things and laugh at the absurdities.” The avid traveller, who travels once a month out of Britain, is also candid about being serious while on the road. “I never joke whilst travelling, not when you look like this! No brown person should ever joke at any airport! It is dangerous!”

Q: Being Muslim and female, does it feel harder for you on the comedy circuit?

A: I never think of my race, religion, or gender. I just think of myself as a person. I am Shazia Mirza. I have never thought of these things as a barrier — they are a barrier only if you think they are. I am free to be who I want and think what I want.

Q: Where do you think audiences have been most receptive to your brand of comedy?

A: Sweden was one of the first countries to give me a chance to do stand-up on TV and also the first where I toured all over the country. They are very forward thinking, very supportive of women, progressive and open to new ideas more than a lot of countries I have been to.

Q: As a former science teacher, did your students ever find you funny? Who were your comic heroes or heroines growing up?

A: My students didn’t find me funny but I thought I was funny and that’s all that mattered. I carried on regardless of what people thought and you have to do that in stand-up. Growing up I watched Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, Joan Rivers, on TV. But I didn’t really know anything about stand-up, and had never been to a comedy club in my life before I started stand-up.

Q: You’ve also performed in “conservative” cities like Lahore. What do you enjoy about doing your shows in these cities?

A: That is a myth that Lahore is conservative. It is not conservative at all. It was very artistic, liberal, and Western. I performed many times in Lahore, twice at The World Performing Arts Festival, where performers came from all over the world and it was an amazing experience. The audience was great and loved the filthier, edgier material the most. The people in Lahore are no different from other people all over the world.

Q: Have jokes ever gotten you out of a sticky situation when you were travelling?

A: I get stopped at the airport a lot. People come up to me and say, “Are you Malala?” I have gotten so p***ed off about this that I just say yes and have my picture taken with them. They will be a laughing stock when they get home and show people the picture of me because I am not Malala!

Q: Do you think comedy gets lost in translation when you perform in different countries?

A: Laughter is universal. People can all laugh at the same thing regardless of the language. You can always change words and phrases to fit in with a certain country and language but you don’t need to change topics or ideas. Everyone finds a man falling after slipping on a banana skin funny.

Kings and Queen of Comedy Asia 7 runs from Sept 30 to Oct 1. The show is rated R18 and tickets are available from Sistic.