Melbourne International Comedy Festival review

‘May you live in interesting times,’ the curse threatens, and Pakistani-born Sami Shah’s recent times have been more interesting than most.

His life has been threatened by Islamic State sympathisers and Pauline Hanson’s far-right hate mobs alike, both having ignored the nuances of his book The Islamic Republic of Australia to decide he either hated Muslims or wanted a sharia state imposed on his new homeland, depending on their prejudices.

The atheist comic brushes off much of the criticism, but is aware he may have to put his words into a new context following the Christchurch atrocity, for fear of the fatal consequences of such deliberate tribal misunderstandings. 

Though whether he’s quite had time to process that tragedy into rewriting his show could be a moot point, as the hour still feels rough around the edges, with trains of thought left hanging, arguments that don’t always join up, and several sections that could be tightened. This former journalist is in strong need of an editor. 

Plus he admits this particular performance is misfiring, putting some of the onus on the audience – smaller than expected given his profile as an author and ABC radio host – for not laughing as he expects. 

But there’s no denying he has plenty to say, from describing the justifiable paranoia that fundamentalist nut jobs could be out to get him to mocking the notion of a bogus ‘white genocide’. Even when the topics are serious, he maintains a wittily engaging tone.

Most astutely, Shah compares the fears of the right to those of minorities. On one hand concerns about ‘free speech’ and ‘political correctness gone mad’; on the other, a fear of genuine persecution and physical harm.  A story of being censored himself when telling of why Pakistanis sacrifice goats bookends the hour, but doesn’t quite tie things together as neatly as it should.

Shah is driven by righteous anger, but maintains a calm, likeable air of a passionately earnest teacher, keen to impart his facts, opinion and viewpoint – and there’s no doubt he knows of what he speaks.

All the elements are here for an excellent show, but they are not quite assembled properly to create it.

Review date: 1 Apr 2019
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett