This week, Hong Kong comedian Vivek Mahbubani, fresh from his stint at last November’s Kings and Queen of Comedy 2, returns to our shores and is joined onstage by fellow TakeOut Comedy Club personality and compatriot Tim Chan, who replaces Matina Leung in the lineup. Ahead of their Cantonese standup comedy show that is part of the PJ Laugh Fest, the duo speaks to us about their favourite Malaysian funnymen and why they love our audience.
First off, why did you two decide to perform the show in Cantonese?
Vivek: The language brings about its own set of challenges. For example, Cantonese doesn't work well with irony and sarcasm because you end up seeming rude. However, it can be useful when playing with words or expressing yourself as there are lots of expressions in Cantonese that are commonly said for even the tiniest of things, such as ‘aiya’ and ‘aaaa’.
Tim: I am from Hong Kong and Cantonese is my mother tongue, so that's why I like to perform my routine in Cantonese. One of the other main reasons is also because I want to introduce American-style standup comedy in Cantonese, so the audience can enjoy a different culture.
Tell us a bit about your show. Will it be any different now that Matina is not around?
V: We have our different styles and perspectives on life and what is funny. With Matina, there would have been a good contrast where she'd talk about her life as a middle-aged woman and I would talk about life as a foreigner in a Chinese community. Tim has replaced Matina and brings a fresh, younger set of jokes and funny stories to the show. The audience can expect the same level of laughter, but a few less jokes about womanly problems from Matina, but a load more jokes about cartoons and dealing with trying to be a man from Tim.
What sets you two apart from the other comedians at the festival?
T: We believe our comedy in Cantonese definitely draws a different kind of attention, but being from Hong Kong, we've got a different perspective on life as well. Our relatively lack of experience performing for a Malaysian audience in Cantonese means we're fresh and without boundaries. Ignorance is bliss after all.
If you could collaborate with any Malaysian comedian, who would it be and why?
V: I've seen Kavin Jay perform and I like his quick talk and silly sense of humour. Papi Zak, being the happy and fun big guy, is another contender I'd be happy to share the stage with. I like working with people who are open to the weirdest ideas and who are also ready to kick them out the door. So other than the two of them, I'd be honoured to work with Harith Iskander again. Watching him control the stage and entertain the audience at Kings and Queen of Comedy 2 was a great learning experience for me. He could be serious and straight but when needed, a clown on stage. So if I could, these three guys would be my top picks.
How different is the standup comedy audience here as compared to the one in your homeland?
V: The Malaysian audience is a crowd ready to laugh, and not just laugh, but laugh like they're trying to make you realise a point, that point being ‘we're laughing’. I loved it! In Hong Kong, it's a different type of laughter. I feel people laugh quicker, like they start and stop laughing faster, but in Malaysia, the laughter grows slowly into a roar. Other than that, Malaysians are a crowd that seem to just want to have a good time, which is the best mentality to have when going to a comedy show.
What advice can you offer aspiring standup comedians?
V: You have to believe you are funny. Even if you're not getting the laughs, you need to have that faith that you have a funny voice, you just have to give it time to learn to speak. Always watch as much comedy as you can with an open heart, not one of jealousy, and be ready to learn anything and everything from a comedian who kills on stage.
T: The last piece of advice is to just do it. Louis CK once said he often takes unfinished jokes and starts performing them on stage and that pressure to be funny spontaneously generates a funny addition to the joke that completes it. Risky? Yes, but that's the name of the game.
Being debutants at the PJ Laugh Fest, what are you most looking forward to at this year’s festival?
V: I'm excited to bring Cantonese comedy out of Hong Kong. I've performed for Malaysians and they are an awesome crowd. I'm looking forward to seeing how Cantonese impacts this experience.
T: I'm looking forward to learning more about the similarities and differences in the comedy culture between Hong Kong and Malaysia. I'm anticipating a great experience during this trip, and I can’t wait to share my jokes with a Malaysian audience.
‘Vivek & Tim’ runs at PJLA from May 18-19. For more info, see listing.
