When you are born to Indian parents, and choose to not pursue a career as a doctor and instead become a standup comedian, you are guaranteed to have a plethora of stories about your family and their reactions. It is these anecdotes that Jeeves Verma draws upon in his latest show, It’s My Chapati and I’ll Cry if I Want To.
Taking the age-old mantra that most Indian parents recite incessantly to their children, ‘Hurry up! Settle down and get married!’, Verma proceeds to refute this directive by way of a carefully thought out formula, a series of flashcards, and nonstop humour.
The show begins with a list of things that the white people have stolen from India, namely the crown jewels, The Color Run (yes, it is actually based on an age old Indian festival), and even the TV show Married At First Sight. And with that, the discussion on marriages begins!
Fear not though, this show is not full of stereotypical jokes and corny Indian accents, although those are available too, if you want them. Instead the audience is taken on a journey which includes toilet cleaning techniques, the true meaning of the Kama Sutra, and an opinion on how the game of cricket came about, all from the perspective of an Australian Indian.
It’s My Chapati And I’ll Cry If I Want To may not be billed at one of the larger venues of the Comedy Festival, but don’t let this deter you. Jeeves Verma will leave you laughing so hard, you will struggle to remain upright in your seat.
And above all else, he will leave you with the answer as to why he spends a large part of the show drinking his beer through a straw.
– Moni
Moni is of Indian heritage, was born in England and has grown up in Australia. As a result, she appreciates all things fusion.
It’s My Chapati And I’ll Cry If I Want To runs from 30 March to 9 April 2017 (55mins) at The Chinese Museum – The Tea Room. Purchase tickets now.
The venue is accessible.
Read The Plus Ones’ guide to MICF 2017, and visit often to see all our reviews.
