Monday September 22, 2008
We Don’t Swear tackles humour in politics
By SHEELA CHANDRAN
Comedy Court’s We Don’t Swear takes a comedic jab at politicians and the political scene in the country.
Comedy Court’s Allan Perera and Indi Nadarajah say they don’t swear. OK, perhaps we are not revealing the entire truth. But if you attend their upcoming performance, We Don’t Swear, you may be enlightened after hearing their thoughts on the latest headlines and sidelines about Malaysia.
“Of late, we have heard and read stories about people (and politicians) who have sworn to speak the truth. We thought it would be good to play around with the pun.
Comedy Court’s Allan Perera (left) and Indi Nadarajah as lawyers Loga and Singam. They have a knack of seeing the lighter side of things. “What we spoke about last week may not be applicable (today) as things are moving very quickly in the political arena (laughs). We try to be topical and write newer scripts as political conditions unfold,” said Perera during an interview recently.
When asked to state some political happenings that had tickled their funny bone, witty Perera added: “Whatever that has tickled us in the news, we make sure it’ll tickle you, too. It is really fantastic when one can take something serious and make a laugh out of it.
“Currently, the majority of the people don’t have a chance to say their thoughts out loud so they are always excited whenever someone else pokes fun at such issues.”
For the upcoming show, the comedians will not be introducing any new characters to their repertoire, which features lawyers Loga and Singam of the Oblong Bar; the YBs of Parliament; Two Crazy Chinamen and gossipy housewives Mertle and Thevi.
“These characters are already well established. We have added more stories to each skit. The audience can expect a couple more skits which are more politically slanted. It has given us room to upgrade our material as the days go by,” said Nadarajah.
The duo as gossipy housewives Mertle and Thevi in We Don’t Swear. He explained that Loga and Singam will be talking about the election in their club while the Chinese characters will be speaking on the pre-elections.
“It would be interesting as the Chinese DVD sellers will be talking about the atmosphere before the March 8 elections. The Yang Berhormats will be commenting on all sorts of issues while Mertle and Thevi get ready for their old girls’ reunion dinner.”
In the skit, budding actress Amanda Charmane Murthi will be making her debut performance as Mertle’s daughter, Shirley Rodriguez.
The comedic duo said that among all their characters, they have a soft spot for Mertle and Thevi, who are actual characters whom they knew from their past.
“Thevi was based on memories of my mother’s relationship with the neighbourhood women. I grew up living amidst a mixed community in the government quarters in Kampung Pandan in Kuala Lumpur.
“It was a brilliant time during Tunku Abdul Rahman’s time, especially how everyone had a great joy of being the new breed of Malaysians,” said Nadarajah.
Perera chipped in: “My father worked for rubber estate Harrisons & Crossfields in Petaling Jaya and we lived within a community without fences. There were many characters who had interesting stories to tell. Mertle and Thevi enable the audience to take a trip down memory lane.”
Those who have enjoyed their collection of Latest Hits comprising song parodies (think: Election Blah Blah Blah and Lingam’s Devil Curry) on their website www.comedycourt.com.my will be pleased to know that five new songs will be featured during the show.
“The songs comment on whatever that’s happening right now. The songs include Devil in the Deep Blue Sea, So Damn Me, Puspakom and Exco Fiasco,” said Perera, adding that the sketches would be about 90 minutes without intermission.
Comedy Court’s We Don’t Swear runs from today till Sept 28 at The Actors Studio Bangsar, Bangsar Shopping Centre in Kuala Lumpur. Tickets are priced at RM52, RM72 and RM102. Showtime is 8.30pm. DVDs on Comedy Court’s live recordings will be available before and after the show. The DVD, titled Giggle Hits Volume One, is priced at RM30. For more details, call 03-20940400/1400. Alternatively, browse www.comedycourt.com.my.
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