From the moment she stepped on to the Fusebox stage at the Factory, Gina Yashere effortlessly demonstrated why she is one of the best comics in the world - black or white, male or female. She has the mastery of the truly gifted. Her casual ease with the audience, riffing with the first two rows about their names, jobs and delusions combined with sharp social satire is a complete hit.
Born to Nigerian parents, Gina Yashere grew up in North London, lives in LA and travels the world. Her attention to detail shows with her up to date local knowledge - she isn't one of those comics who arrives from OS with a standard routine and makes a few cursory references to koalas - and it made this show about Sydney and Australians a real treat.
We all long to know what the world thinks of us. Gina Yashere let us know: “Ahh the casual racism, Australia, the casual racism,” she sighed after describing an extremely funny outing at the Chinese Gardens of Friendship. Australian racism is one hell of a topic to tackle - and few comics are able to go there. Yashere’s fantastic riff on taxi drivers and Aboriginal people was unsettling and thought provoking. It revealed our own prejudices to ourselves. Her observations ranged from the Australian news - “It’s not very serious is it?”, why black people don’t swim, the “hoodie” generation, the American health system, Nigerian mothers, respect and a whole lot more.
Yashere simply killed us, the laughs coming easily throughout her hour long show. She displayed an uncanny ability to read the audience, invite them in but also push us into uncomfortable places. The luxury of seeing her in a small venue like the Fusebox was a real bonus. She usually plays massive gigs in the UK and the States, think Carnegie Hall and the Apollo. Up close in the confines of an intimate space, Gina Yashere was, quite simply brilliant.
Star100 Entertainment presents
Gina Yashere
Venue: The Fusebox @ The Factory Theatre
Dates: Tues 4th May – Sat 8th May, 2010
Time: 7.45pm
Tickets: Full $32, Conc $28
Bookings: 02 9020 6966 | www.sydneycomedyfest.com.au
Sydney Reviews
Gina Yashere
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- jane barton
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