And that's not the only irreverent statement that Jason Byrne, one of Ireland's most successful comics makes, as he readies for a Mumbai debut next week
I've heard Brabourne Stadium is also where Matt Damon keeps his ladies underwear...
Jason Byrne
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Stepping on the stage to a cheering, packed house, Irish comic Jason Byrne begins his act. He picks a gangly teenager to join him and his first reaction is, "Oh my god, where are your organs?!" What follows is a hilarious magic trick with a deck of cards, thrice the size of regular ones.
In another act, he hypnotises an audience member, using a pair of prosthetic legs to create an impression of the subject floating mid-air. That's Byrne for you — whose use of imaginative props and audience interactions in live routines has earned him the title, 'King of Live Comedy'. He is also the highest selling comedian at the Edinburgh Fringe Fest, the world's largest art fest, and has bagged Perrier Award Nomination (2001), UK's biggest comedy prize.
With over two decades of performing stand-up comedy — besides hosting radio shows and acting in TVâÂÂÂu00c2u0080ÂÂÂu00c2u0088sitcom, Father Figure (2013) among others — the 44-year-old comic will make his Mumbai debut with Jason Byrne Is Propped Up, presented by Ashvin Gidwani's AGP World. In the show, he will use props like ducks, false chins, portable igloos, owls and dolphins to entertain the crowd. The Guide connected with him to discuss his brand of lunacy.
Excerpts:
What can the audience expect from your upcoming show?
A lot of people laugh so much at my shows, they turn themselves inside out. So, there'll be a lot of that going on. We usually end the show on a big game of skipping using inside out intestines.
Byrne as stay-at-home dad, Tom Whyte, in the BBCâÂÂÂu00c2u0080ÂÂÂu00c2u0088sitcom Father Figure
Have you tweaked your set to cater to the Mumbai audience?
I've replaced the word 'sliced pan' with 'naan bread'.
Most of your acts require audience participation. Do you believe our audiences is forthcoming when it comes to being put in awkward situations?
I've heard the people in Mumbai like fruit pastilles, so I'll be bringing lots of fruit pastilles on stage to tempt them into taking part. They won't be able to resist.
A gag that flopped because of an unwilling audience member?
I was once doing a gag about blind ferrets when a family of blind ferrets in the audience nearly walked out. I turned it around by doing a gag about Kanye West. Blind ferrets hate Kanye West.
When did you realise you wanted to be a stand-up comedian?
It was when I was giving directions to the GPO in Dublin and the bloke couldn't stop laughing. 'You take the next turn left and go all the way up Henry St until you get to O'Connell Street. Turn right and it's just there on the right. You had to be there… Mary St that is, otherwise it doesn't work. And being a radio host helps because whenever a
show is going badly, I just cut to the news or play a bit of Coldplay.
Do you follow any Indian stand-up comics?
I like Ahsaan Qureshi and his 2007 movie Bombay to Goa, and particularly the fact that
he has a Wikipedia page.
Performing live or in front of the camera — what do you prefer?
Performing live. Television companies employ people specifically to ruin absolutely everything.
Will we see you make videos only for digital media, which is a huge platform for comics nowadays?
No, it's too late for all that. I'm concentrating on the next big thing — streaming live comedy via a sketch. It's only available on the Outernet, which I've just invented.
Is this your maiden visit to Mumbai?
Yes. I'm looking forward to visiting the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and meeting King Choo Choo, the leader of the railroads. I think he must live there. I will also go to Brabourne Stadium because I've invented a cross between cricket and hurling that I want to try. It's like cricket except you can't wear white because it really shows up the blood. I've heard Brabourne Stadium is also where Matt Damon keeps his ladies underwear. I'm excited because I'm also signing up with Ashvin Gidwani who is going to make me rich in India.
On September 17
Time 7 pm
At Tata Theatre, NCPA,
Nariman Point.
Log on to Bookmyshow.com
Cost Rs 750 onwards
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