"We're encouraging everyone to talk about their experiences."
Things are set to get rib-tickling at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as the Brown Women Comedy Tour arrives at the scene.
The tour showcases a talented and besharam (“shameless”) ensemble of South Asian comedians.
These include Indian and Pakistani performers.
Originally based in Australia, Brown Women Comedy expanded its reach after a staggering sold-out run that comprised over 2,900 tickets.
The shows in Edinburgh feature diverse women from Scotland, England, Australia, and India.
Embracing the taboo subjects of their diaspora, these “shameless” comedians talk openly about sex, mental health, conservative parents, and being queer.
Featuring comedians including Alex Bertulis-Fernandes, Daizy Maan and Shyaire Ganglani, the Brown Women Comedy Tour is always a treat to watch.
DESIblitz spoke to these artists who shared valuable insights into Brown Women Comedy at Edinburgh.
Alex Bertulis-Fernandes
Alex will perform at Brown Women’s Comedy from August 23 to August 25, 2024.
It will be at Hill Street Theatre from 5:30 pm.
Delving into what she felt the biggest barrier was that prevented greater ethnic diversity within major cultural events, Alex said:
“In terms of comedy shows, there are fewer South Asian women doing comedy in general. Comedy audiences can be less welcoming to women, especially women of colour, especially outside of London.
“I’m mixed-race, I’ve been told I’m white-passing, so I suspect I experience this less than others but I still feel out of place.
“I’m often the only woman of colour on a stand-up bill. I know that some people – myself included – sometimes assume I’m on the line-up to meet a diversity quota.
“That may well be the reason some people book me, but it doesn’t change the fact that, like all stand-ups, I’ve got to actually be funny.
“I can’t just go on stage and say, ‘Brown woman, job done’.
“Families aren’t always on board with careers in the performing arts, because of the perceived (and in some cases very accurate) lack of stability.
“There’s the perception that South Asian families are less receptive to comedy that can be confessional and often touches on personal, taboo subjects.
“Despite this, my Dad was very supportive of me doing stand-up.
“But I’m aware my experience is considered unusual.
“There are so few South Asian women doing comedy on TV, which doesn’t help it seem like a viable career choice.
“Even if you’re a South Asian woman who does want to do comedy, there are other barriers if you’re from a working-class background, or you have a family to take care of.
“That makes the pool of South Asian women doing comedy even smaller.”
Daizy Maan
The founder of Brown Women Comedy, Daizy Maan, will perform on every show from August 25 at Hill Street Theatre from 5:30 pm.
Divulging the importance of embracing ‘shamelessness’, Daizy explained:
“Using humour to tackle touchy subjects in the desi society is a tightrope walk, but get it right, and suddenly those awkward topics are centre stage, easier to chat about and far less isolating.
“As brown women, we’re constantly told to “have some shame” and “don’t be shameless”.
“Shame is ingrained in our culture from birth which is why we’re reclaiming the word besharam (“shameless”) and owning it.
“We’re encouraging everyone to talk about their experiences, own them, and recognise they’re not alone.
“Because we’re all navigating similar waters.
“And if we can stand up and crack the most ‘non-veg’ jokes in front of aunties and uncles, then trust me, you can think it, say it, and even do it.
“Go on that date, chase a weird career, decide never to marry, or tell those aunties what you think.
“By laughing together, we find strength and solidarity, making it a little easier for everyone in the room to feel seen.”
Daizy also talked about the challenges and opportunities in taking Brown Women Comedy to the international stage.
She continued: “Taking Brown Women Comedy global after its success in Australia is exciting.
“Yet I know it won’t be easy. Edinburgh Fringe is notoriously expensive and most artists and productions lose money putting on a Fringe show.
“So this year is all about learning for us, that’s exactly what we did in Melbourne 3 years ago – we start small and grow year on year.
“The shows in Edinburgh offer tremendous opportunities for reaching a broader audience, fostering cultural exchange, breaking stereotypes about South Asian women, and potentially collaborating with international artists.
“This global expansion could significantly enhance the show’s impact by introducing its unique humour and perspective to diverse audiences around the world.
“After all, there are more Laura’s in Edinburgh Fringe than Asian women artists so Brown Women Comedy is definitely needed.”
Shyaire Ganglani
Shyaire Ganglani is the producer of Brown Women Comedy, Edinburgh.
She will be performing and MC-ing on every show until August 25 at Hill Street Theatre from 5:30 pm.
Shyaire expressed her thoughts on navigating the potential cultural sensitivities that surrounded taboo topics.
She said: “This is going to sound unreal but our shows have been incredibly well-received with zero awkward reactions.
“Audience members have come up to us in tears, feeling seen and understood.
“We kick things off with a cheeky heads-up that it might get awkward, especially if parents or grandparents are in tow. Our unofficial mantra should be: “Sit in the cringe”.
“An older Indian lady even approached us after a show in Adelaide, expecting something racier.
“Clearly, we’re drawing in the right crowd who know exactly what they’ve signed up for.
“Comedy is at its finest when it’s provocative, making people think and squirm a little.
“The reception from our South Asian audience has been nothing but warm, and non-South Asians are usually friends or partners of South Asians.
“So they’re eager to dive deeper into our cultural quirks and learn about their loved one through the show.
“We half-joked about needing a medic on standby for our older crowd, but thankfully, we haven’t had any emergencies yet.
“Fingers crossed it stays that way!”
Shyaire also shed light on the impact she hoped that Brown Women Comedy would have on the performers and the audience.
She continued to state: “At the very least, we hope to make people laugh and nod along.
“At the most, we want to change lives, even if just a little. Growing up Indian in a different country to your origin is hard.
“Diaspora problems are so real and when you feel alone, it makes it worse.
“When people feel like we’re all in it together, they tend to stand up for themselves and find their voices.
“It might be a cliche but the saying, “it takes a village” is so relevant here.”
“By showcasing a diverse lineup of South Asian women, Brown Women Comedy serves as that village, providing a platform where unique voices are not only heard but celebrated.
“Our shows aim to resonate deeply with those facing similar struggles, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
“Through humour, we tackle serious issues, encouraging both performers and audience members to embrace their identities and speak their truths.
“The impact extends beyond the stage, inspiring attendees to carry this empowerment into their daily lives, hopefully leading to broader societal changes.”
In 2023, Draw Your Box gave Brown Women Comedy four-and-a-half stars out of five, commenting:
“Brown Women Comedy is the shake-up to Australia’s comedy scene that is well overdue.”
The Age added: “If you’re solely expecting jokes about the idiosyncrasies of brown parents and the weight of unmet cultural expectations, Brown Women Comedy isn’t for you.
“It touches on some of those things, yes, but so much more – sex, mental health, queerness, divorce.”
This tour contains many progressive and unafraid initiatives, powered by some talented performers,
Brown Women Comedy promises to light up the Edinburgh Fringe Festival like never before.
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