Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
As the anniversary of the civil unrest loomed last week, a small number of Bahrain residents decided to venture out and replace their worries with wit.
With many roads closed as a result of protests and security, the turnout was disappointing but the comedians didn’t let that get in the way of the show.
International jokers Andy Robinson, Keith Farnan and Mary Bourke were on-hand to dish out the gags to an intimate audience, which I think relished such individual attention.
First up was Andy, a cheeky Brummie (that’s a person from Birmingham, UK) who seemed delighted with ‘brave people’ sat in the front row. His best gags centred on his regional accent, which if you haven’t heard it … well, it’s an acquired taste to say the least.
He held the stage well and did a fine job hosting the proceedings for the evening.
Next on stage was Mary, an Irish lady with a wit as fiery as her hair colour. She laid waste to pretentious mums who blog online and teenagers who have trouble articulating their thoughts.
She had some strong material, but for me, the funniest part of her set was her terrible accent impressions and use of Ebonics to reference US rap culture, classic stuff there Mary!
Rounding off the night was Keith … ‘the most un-Irish sounding name in the world’ according to the charmingly scruffy Irishman himself.
I knew he was going to be hilarious off the bat, partly because he bares more than a passing resemblance to Hangover star Zack Galifianakis.
He went around the room asking everyone to high-five; it was going well until he reached an unenthusiastic Australian in the third row. Note to anyone who goes to a comedy show, if the comedian asks for a high-five, give it to him or he will mercilessly pick on you!
Keith had some great political gags, particularly the divide between Ireland and Northern Ireland. Imagine that, people who live on the same island but can’t figure out how to get along … a subtle point well received and very poignant.
