Comic Relief

If you want to escape unnoticed and unscathed, there are certain rules to follow when watching standup comedy: don't show up late, turn off your mobile phone, deny any connection with countries that are comic goldmines (read: the US) and never wear anything noteworthy. On the other hand, why hide from the attention? The close - albeit often embarrassing - connection between audience and performer is what feeds a standup comedian, and keeps people on the edge of their seats. Usually, almost any subject is fair game in the no-holds-barred area of live comedy. In Singapore, however, comics face an especially unusual set of circumstances - full of possibility, but also riddled with grey areas. Given that standup often thrives on shock value, and that we live in a country that has a rocky relationship with free speech, the question begs to be asked: 'What cannot be joked about in Singapore?'

It is surprising to some that the island's best-known comedian, Kumar, happens to be a cross-dresser in a country where homosexuality remains illegal. The drag queen is careful not to cross certain lines when it comes to the Government's stance, although race, sexuality and gender often make it into his scripts.

Desmond Wong

Akmal Saleh

Desmond Wong, a regular amateur comedian with TakeOut Comedy Club, says the comics there try to avoid these types of controversial subjects. Although there are no hard-and-fast rules, many of the topics covered by Kumar - subjects considered the bread and butter of many comics in the West - are generally acknowledged to be no-fly zones in Singapore. The Substation, which hosts the Melbourne Comedy Festival Roadshow each year, and brings five or six comics from this world-famous event to Singapore, is mandated not to 'promote a homosexual lifestyle' - a directive that may influence the comedy performed here.

Audiences, with their reputation for being conservative, are another reason to tread lightly. Kerry Ball, owner of Howl at the Moon nightclub, has been involved in Singapore's comedy scene for eight years, and says that, over time, his audiences have become noticeably more open-minded. 'The type of comedy that I have been bringing in has been a lot more, for want of a better word, cutting edge,' he says. But an 'anything goes' approach to comedy will not hold water quite yet. Julie Englefield of The Substation notes that the typical audience member at their Roadshow - in contrast to audiences in Australia, where comedy is often cheap, pub-focused and attended by young, rowdy crowds - is thirtysomething and well off; for them, going to a comedy show is like spending a night at the theatre. As such, they tend to appreciate intelligence and don't respond well to a set peppered with the F-word.

Howl at the Moon's Ball sees a similar disposition within his audiences and tries to bring in comedians who are purveyors of 'clever, observational humour' and who will keep their jokes 'above the navel'. Ball and Englefield do not expressly forbid performers to broach certain subjects, especially since comics can be a rebellious bunch, but they do offer gentle suggestions (ie don't ruffle too many feathers).

Jami and Vivek at TakeOut Singapore

Sensitive reputation or not, Singapore seems to be eager for a good laugh. Ball, who says audiences are 'absolutely gagging for it,' and Englefield, whose annual comedy festival sells out, both note an increasing demand for standup comedy. And they are not alone; Channel News Asia (in March 2008) and The Straits Times (in July 2009) have proclaimed the rise of the artform in Singapore, reflecting the growing public interest.

Howl at the Moon had little competition until The Comedy Club at DXO entered the mix in January, and now both these venues bring in international talent, offering regular standup events for several nights every month. Also, since May, TakeOut Comedy Club has been hosting open-mic nights every Tuesday at Gallery Hotel's eM Studio. Now, any amateur who has the nerve can test his or her skills on stage - a promising sign for Singapore's chances of fostering homegrown comedians.

Opportunities for budding local comics have never been greater. Jonathan Atherton, an advocate for comedy in Singapore, runs The Comedy Club, acting as MC and bringing in headliners. Having once performed at Ball's clubs, Atherton broke out on his own to help foster local interest in standup, and is starting a workshop this month to help wannabe comics develop their skills. 'I can already see two or three young performers here that are diamonds in the rough - but with a bit of polishing, we are going to have some very fine local comics coming out of Singapore,' he forecasts. Grey areas there may be, but funnily enough, the future seems rosy for Singapore's comedy scene.