Laugh

out
loud
By y CaSSera olivei
26
issue 10 2012

there are three reasons why i find stand-up comedian issa Al-Fahoum amusing. Firstly, at 15, hes definitely the youngest comedian in Qatar. Secondly, he is an Arab studying in one of the popular indian schools here. thirdly, his school happens to be my alma mater. Off i go excitedly to meet the promising young comedian over a cup of giggles and a bite of nostalgia.

ont be fooled by his age. Issa Al-Fahoum is only 15, but theres an air of maturity about him. Hes outspoken yet cautious about every word he utters. I dont want to fall into any kind of trouble, he says. How he ended up as a stand-up comedian is a funny story in itself. Early last year, there was a talent search competition organised by a private company across a number of schools in Qatar. When the officials arrived at Issas school, his physics class was about to begin which is his not-so-favourite subject. Given the choice, he naturally ditched his lecture on the pretext of taking part though he wasnt really planning to take part. As luck would have it, he bumped into his physics professor, who was also one of the staff helping with the competition. What transpired between the two goes something like this... Professor: What are you doing here? Issa: Umm...Im taking part. Professor: Really? In what? Issa: Umm...Stand-up comedy. Professor: OK. Go ahead. I was like, Oh no! What to do now?, says Issa. I thought of running back to class, but my friends who had come along told me to give it a try. And then it was never turning back... Issa is now a prominent member of Stand Up Comedy Qatar (SUCQ) a coalition of stand-up comedians in Qatar founded by Halal Bilal, who is a Muslim comedian from South Africa. SUCQ promotes stand-up comedy in the region by supporting and developing aspiring comedians and hosting regular events and tours. I have discovered comedy from Halal, and hopefully many others will, says Issa. He usually guides me on what jokes have to be said and what not to be said in my act.

school because he thinks it has the strictest education system, which I agree. Moreover, Arabic school was never an option because I am not very well-versed in Arabic. But adjusting with people from other cultural backgrounds has always been easy for Issa. Studying in Canada before coming to Qatar was a good exposure to a multi-ethnic environment. Back on stage, Issa loves impersonating his teachers, and he puts on the Indian accent with such flair that it would trick you into

that particular nationality. But its all in good humour, he clarifies. I have many Indian friends. My best friend is an Indian. I just find it funny how some of them converse in English. Being an Arab, I joke about my culture as well, he adds. But topics like politics or religion are definitely a no-no in his acts... Different people react differently, they think differently. You need to find the most general topics that everyone finds funny. I make sure to have a few friends of mine sit in the audience to get their honest feedback. I listen to their suggestions and try working on them. People say getting on stage is the hardest part, but its not. Coming up with new jokes is even harder.

looking ahead...
Back at home, it took a while for his parents to understand what their son was up to. They didnt take me seriously at first; they felt I was wasting my time. But when my name started appearing in local newspapers along with other comedians, my parents realised it was a big deal. My mother would take those news clippings and show them around to friends and family. And one day, my father came up to me and said that if I wanted to do comedy, I could go ahead. But he wants me to get a degree first because if comedy doesnt work out, then theres something to fall back on. Hes pretty determined about turning this passion into his profession. He plans to move to Canada for graduation as the comedy scene is huge there. Till I complete school, I shall keep doing comedy in Qatar to expand my experience. I still have to improve my confidence and charisma on stage. Canada is also home to popular comedian Russell Peters, whom Issa simply loves. I have been watching his videos regularly. There is talk of him performing in Qatar this year. It would be a dream-come-true if I could open the show for him! As for our meeting, it ended on a hilarious note with me listening to a few of the jokes that he had prepared for a show later that evening. I experiment with new jokes only at smaller shows, its fine even if those dont work out. My tried-and-tested jokes are reserved for the bigger shows.

JokeS aParT...
Most of Issas jokes emanate from the hilarious experiences he faces as a Palestinian studying in an Indian school. Its funny when people think I am a Pakistani. And when I tell them I am a Palestinian, the first question that they ask is: No offence, man, but what are you doing in an Indian school? My father wanted me to attend an Indian

thinking hes an Indian-in-disguise. Doesnt he worry about being in their bad books? In comedy its not about what you say but how you say, he explains. When I have to talk about a particular teacher, I would start off by saying I have this cool teacher, hes amazing, and then would go on to impersonate him. Then it doesnt sound offensive. Its also necessary to gauge how tolerant the audience is, he says. Studying in an Indian school and surrounded by Indians every day, its obvious that most of his jokes target

2012

issue 10

27