Special preview of The Comedy Club at Zouk KL recently, featuring (from left) Terry Johnson, Jonathan Atherton and Andrew Netto

We spoke to Rizal to find out more about him, The Comedy Club and how comedy is taking KL by storm.

“Malaysians have reached a certain level where they do not look so much towards slapstick humour anymore. Instead, a sophisticated Rootsbrand of humour proves more appealing and that is what stand up comedy and The Comedy Club is delivering at every show,” he said.

His words do ring true as the last show this reporter attended was so jam-packed that for some late comers, it was the standing room only! But as we know, stand up comedy consists of some potentially sensitive jokes. Are Malaysians ready for that?

“To be allowed to run shows of this nature, we promised not to touch on racial, religious as well as political jokes. The international comedians are also given two days before the shows to acclimatise with our country and what we are about,” Rizal said.

He added that these shows are fast becoming the new place to be (judging from the VIPs and royalty at the last show, one would have to agree), and is fast becoming an alternate source of entertainment.

“Many of us have studied abroad and have been exposed to stand up comedy in other countries; this is one thing that Malaysia lacks that we are trying to integrate. So that when thinking of what to do, instead of dinner or going clubbing, checking out a stand up comedy show is something to break out of the same old routine.”

Little known to the masses, there is actually a community of stand up comedians in Malaysia and what The Comedy Club does is they give these young comedians a chance and platform to perform by having at least one local act during their shows.

Rizal’s first exposure to comedy was when he was 17, all thanks to the musings of Eddie Murphy. “I was studying in Australia at that time and at every corner there was a comedy club. So far our shows in Malaysia have been very well received, and contrary to popular belief, it is not really the expats that attend, in fact 95 per cent of the turnout are locals!”

They are currently in talks to bring a certain Indian comedian down. If “be a man” and “somebody’s gonna get hurt” sounds familiar and you guessed Russell Peters, then you’re right! “Hopefully it works out,” grinned Rizal. Watch this space and keep your fingers crossed! We know ours are!

Check out www.thecomedyclubkl.com for details. Bring a date and share the mirth!

Source: Malay Mail