Kuah Jenhan is back at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival with his part stand-up, part storytelling show titled Perfect Stranger. Jenhan, whose tag line is ‘self deprecation is my jam yo’ is in Australia for the fourth time and is a bit of a celebrity. He takes to the stage cheerfully and with amazing one-liners like ‘You will always be white and I will always like bubble tea.’ That quote says it all.
There are some great moments in Perfect Stranger and Jenhan employs large cards to illustrate his points. Real slides, remember those? I’m not sure if the venue lacks the technology or he just prefers cards — but either way I had fun envisioning him packing them into his suitcase.
The show describes what life is like in Malaysia and really illustrates that this is a truly International Comedy Festival, with comedians from around the globe providing a different perspective on life.
My favourite story was his recent experience of asking important questions to Miss Universe contestants. Questions like, ‘In the event of a zombie apocalypse, what would your weapon of choice be?’ Fantastic! You can get away with such things when you are ‘one of southeast Asia’s most sought-after entertainers’. And no wonder — Jenhan is a likeable guy with a winning smile.
The Greek Centre has small rooms with intimate audiences and this one was chuckling. You feel as though you and Jenhan are having a chat, like he’s a really lovely mate of yours who just happens to have a great sense of humour.
At the end you are left inspired, potentially for world peace (thank you Miss Universe) and thinking ‘What a great guy!’
– Cara
Cara has long hair, long legs, and a long association with the arts.
Perfect Stranger runs March 30-April 23, Thurs-Sat 7.15pm, Sunday 6.15pm (60mins) at the Greek Centre, Aphrodite’s Room, Cnr Lonsdale & Russell Sts, Melbourne. Purchase tickets now.
The venue is accessible.
Read The Plus Ones’ guide to MICF 2017, and visit often to see all our reviews.
