22 March 2008

JOUNIEH: "I was in the airport in Beirut, and I knew I was in Lebanon because I could see a guy putting out his cigarette on the 'No Smoking' sign," says a straight-faced Mazen Abdullah. The audience chuckles in self-recognition. Abdullah was the opening act for Nemr Abou Nassar's stand-up show at Casino du Liban on Monday. Abdullah and Nassar are among an increasing number of Lebanon-based stand-up comedians who work locally.

Most Lebanese are familiar with stand-up comedy from exposure to American television and, most recently, from the Axis of Evil Comedy Tour - an Arab- and Iranian-American troupe of comics that toured  the Middle East at the end of 2007.

As a form of entertainment, however, stand-up is nowhere near as developed locally as it is in North America, where the form largely originated.

Nassar can be held responsible for developing the stand-up comedy scene in Lebanon. It takes months, he explained, if not years, to build up a substantial stand-up comedy scene. But he intends to do just that.

Critics have noted that - though stand-up comedians have sprung up in many areas around the world where American popular culture sees a high degree of traffic - stand-up tends to sound the same, regardless where the comedian happens to come from.

Nassar believes stand-up comedy can be successful here and, what's more, can be done in Arabic. "I saw a really good comedian who did an act in Arabic. It's a different style and flavor and flow, but it can be done."

Like Abdullah, his warm-up act, Nassar does his show in English, with Arabic phrases thrown in at those moments when a local usage just can't be translated.

His style is free and improvisational, covering different everyday experiences and drawing on audience reactions. His style departs somewhat from the American stand-up you'd find on satellite TV, in that his routine relies as much on physical humor and props as it does jokes.

Nassar has also developed certain personal signatures, such as using the rap song "This Is Why I'm Hot" as an introduction. Abdullah also creates humor out of his personal life - memorably discussing the extreme traditionalism of his uncle, who railed against watching television in English.

His weekend show was attended mostly by younger people in their twenties. Nassar, who studied business, found the local comedy market doesn't cater to 20-35 year olds.

"The comedy available on TV is for the older generations," he said. In addition, the available comedy addresses political and religious topics, something Nassar has made it a rule to studiously avoid, he added.

"Politics and religion are overused in comedy," he opined. They "shouldn't be our main concern. People should discuss everyday life ... It's what makes us human."

Nassar believes politics are not really a part of everyday life. "In Lebanon, we still don't have the maturity level to openly discuss and interpret these matters," he said. "It's too risky if someone says the wrong thing even when they were nervous and they didn't intend it."

Rather than challenging the sectarian and political loyalties of audience members, Nassar intends his comedy to create a "tension-free zone" for people to communicate and exchange views. He also anticipates competition, which would drive the development of the scene.

Nassar is ambitious. He'd like to see Lebanon become the comedy capital of the Middle East. The important thing, he said, is to "go step-by-step and be responsible."

"There are many amateur comedians that need guidance," he continued. "I don't intend to leave. As long as I'm here, I'll continue to support them."

The first step to developing the scene is by establishing weekly amateur nights, which he wants Abdullah to run. Himself a budding comedian, Abdullah is Nassar's partner in expanding the comedy field and making it available to audiences that seem ready to laugh.

"It's not about me and it's not just about trying to make people laugh," said Nassar, who still holds a day job as an insurance broker. He says people get his message when they see his show and envisions that more comedians will be encouraged to do the same.

Copyright The Daily Star 2008.