Today's Edition
Kuumar Shyam (Abu Dhabi)
Abu Dhabi gets few dosages of laughter from stand-up comedians, but Saturday proved to be a welcome change with the Jamie Lever Show bringing the roof down at Al Qana's Pixoul Gaming, another fairly fresh venue amid the rapid growth witnessed in the UAE capital.
For the uninitiated, Jamie is the princess of the Indian king of comedy, Johny Lever, a legend in his own right. She and her troupe have travelled to nearly 40 countries and done 160 shows worldwide besides many more and her massive presence at The Hall, a compact venue on the serene canal promenade, made for a momentous occasion, organised by Red Dot Events.
A versatile mimicry artist and an adept singer too, her funny bone rubbed on to the audience as Jamie Lever found humour in situations like funerals while spinning a fluid narrative to take one act to another.
She and brother Jessie, also a comic and actor, have featured in a web series "A Spin Around Dubai" which had three travel episodes and were released last year. This time the trip is all about work in Abu Dhabi, her first visit to the Emirate, but she will be in Dubai for the next couple of days.
She usually travels with a three-member group, but one of it could not make it due to visa issues. Yet, Jamie's experience meant she improvised and winged it through, just as the 36 year old has made herself relevant in today's wave of Gen Z millennial stand-up comics.
Jamie Lever took time out for a lengthy interview with Aletihad, including going back to her starting days of struggle when she said in Mumbai's slang language that she "took up cudgels" in choosing to be a comedian like her father. Here are some excerpts:
Why the need to "take up cudgels" in career choice?
It is because, being the daughter of Johny Lever and having accompanied him on tours as a child artist, people assumed that this will be the career of my choice. Which was not initially. I tried my hand in sales and marketing, went to UK for higher studies, even my father thought it was a passing fad. So when I finally decided, I knew that people will judge me more harshly and try to measure me up against my father... even with him, it is difficult to make him laugh; I was aware it would be challenging and hence the mindset.
On her mentor to test her jokes:
Everybody thinks it is my father, but it is my uncle Jimmy Moses [A cousin 14 years younger to Johny Lever]. When Jesse or I or even people in our network who are into this business, want my father to listen to our jokes when we prepare, even he directs them to Jimmy uncle. Father can be busy and away on film shoots; Jimmy uncle is like a mentor to me; he gives tips and coaches to many comedians coming up.
On the standard of comedy:
There are comics nowadays who cannot resist swearing or even bantering on politicians and sensitive issues; but there are always different hues. I cannot say it is wrong or right, because they also have an audience and if they are okay, then good for them. I have never done that and I believe in comedy and fun for the full family which is for everyone. This is a holy profession for me, and I want to give it the full respect and values that families can look forward to. Yes, I am not just a comic, but I do mimicry, a bit of dance while singing is also a strong passion area for me. I am an entertainer, I agree with you.
On the challenges of the job:
I don't subscribe to the fact that you have to trash others or use politics to be funny though many in the younger crop [of comedians] are doing it. There is content everywhere; in all walks of life and I have to never be complacent in my approach, that is one thing I tell myself. My dad also has told me the same thing: this is your work – respect it and it will respect you. He is very strict about it.
On doing a web series with brother Jesse in Dubai:
I have been to Dubai many times, but when the offer [from OTT platform MX Player] came along to do a travel-themed thing, it turned out that there are so many things even I did not know of. For that matter, my brother Jesse, too. Like I did not know he has a fear of heights even though he had done adventurous thing. Besides the fact that we got paid to do fun things – of course there is always some comedy in every day's life for us – it was a great quality time I got to spend with my brother. I hope we get to more such things in future.
On comedy being in the genes:
Jesse does comedy and, yes, I have been the face of my father's legacy so far, but that is because Jesse is yet to do on a full scale what his heart is really set at. It is acting and he also loves writing scripts and which he is doing currently. My mom throws in some PJs [poor jokes] every once in a while out of sarcasm, because she is fed up of living in a house full of comedians, not to forget Jimmy uncle.
On her best memory of her career:
Oh, that's difficult to answer. Many have taken time out to call me specifically after seeing me imitate them [She reels off names of some big artists whom she has mimicked and performed on such as singers Asha Bhosale and Sonu Nigam, and actors among others], but it was an honour when Lata Mangeshkar [Most decorated and veteran singer called "the Nightingale of India"] called out of the blue and said she has been watching my performances for some years and that she gets joy seeing me every time I do so. She is someone even my Dad is in awe of, so to get such a pat from her is just humbling for me.
On some contemporaries she likes:
Obviously, as I said before, I like comedy which is for the family to come and watch. I like Amit Tandon, Akash Gupta and even Gaurav Kapoor among the few names that pop in my mind.
