Standup comedy and theatre have always been a part of Gideon James' growing up years. He has moved on from being a performer of standup comedy to more serious roles of managing the visual and production side of shows.
He is presently the Associate Director at Melbourne International Comedy Festival and finds his job exciting and challenging. Gideon, who was in the city recently, thinks the standup comedy scene, in the city, is alive. He feels Bengalureans are more open and receptive to experimental comedy shows. In an interview with Nina C George, Gideon shares his experience of being here in the city.
Thoughts on the comedy scene in the city...
I usually never miss a chance to watch the comedy festivals that happen across the globe. Here, I found standup comedy happening in every restaurant, including the Bengaluru Comedy Festival. I found these shows to be very entertaining. The shows here run into packed houses and attract not only people but performers as well. People here have a good sense of humour.
What is the major difference between audience here and overseas?
The major difference that I see is that people overseas are quick in finding their own spaces to perform. There's no dearth of talent here either but I think, it is taking time for more people to come forward and popularise standup comedy shows and festivals knit around it.
Your experiences of working in standup comedy...
I used to perform in the theatre troupe in school and dabbled with a bit of standup comedy later on. But I got interested in the visual side of presenting comedy shows. Although, I enjoy performing, I find the happenings on the visual aspect more interesting.
How do you interpret standup comedy?
Comedy shows and live acts are powerful tools to get a message across to people. It makes for some interesting conversation. In India, standup comedians talk about simple things such as political happenings or turn the spotlight on life in Bollywood. Comedy is an integral part of Indian culture.
How has your childhood influenced your choice of career?
I spent most of my growing up years in Mornington which is a small place in Australia. Everybody in that town knew each other. Those days, going to a movie was a big thing. Standup comedy was just emerging back then and now it seems to have caught on with a lot of young adults and grownups as well.
Thoughts on Bengaluru...
I've come to the city more as tourist. This is perhaps the first time that I've come on work. I made the best of my best here by strolling around in Cubbon Park and I even got a chance to visit the Vidhana Soudha. Nobody leaves without picking up something from here, so I too bought clothes for family.
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Standup comedy and theatre have always been a part of Gideon James’ growing up years. He has moved on from being a performer of standup comedy to more serious roles of managing the visual and production side of shows.
He is presently the Associate Director at Melbourne International Comedy Festival and finds his job exciting and challenging. Gideon, who was in the city recently, thinks the standup comedy scene, in the city, is alive. He feels Bengalureans are more open and receptive to experimental comedy shows. In an interview with Nina C George, Gideon shares his experience of being here in the city.
Thoughts on the comedy scene in the city...
I usually never miss a chance to watch the comedy festivals that happen across the globe. Here, I found standup comedy happening in every restaurant, including the Bengaluru Comedy Festival. I found these shows to be very entertaining. The shows here run into packed houses and attract not only people but performers as well. People here have a good sense of humour.
What is the major difference between audience here and overseas?
The major difference that I see is that people overseas are quick in finding their own spaces to perform. There’s no dearth of talent here either but I think, it is taking time for more people to come forward and popularise standup comedy shows and festivals knit around it.
Your experiences of working in standup comedy...
I used to perform in the theatre troupe in school and dabbled with a bit of standup comedy later on. But I got interested in the visual side of presenting comedy shows. Although, I enjoy performing, I find the happenings on the visual aspect more interesting.
How do you interpret standup comedy?
Comedy shows and live acts are powerful tools to get a message across to people. It makes for some interesting conversation. In India, standup comedians talk about simple things such as political happenings or turn the spotlight on life in Bollywood. Comedy is an integral part of Indian culture.
How has your childhood influenced your choice of career?
I spent most of my growing up years in Mornington which is a small place in Australia. Everybody in that town knew each other. Those days, going to a movie was a big thing. Standup comedy was just emerging back then and now it seems to have caught on with a lot of young adults and grownups as well.
Thoughts on Bengaluru...
I’ve come to the city more as tourist. This is perhaps the first time that I’ve come on work. I made the best of my best here by strolling around in Cubbon Park and I even got a chance to visit the Vidhana Soudha. Nobody leaves without picking up something from here, so I too bought clothes for family.
He is presently the Associate Director at Melbourne International Comedy Festival and finds his job exciting and challenging. Gideon, who was in the city recently, thinks the standup comedy scene, in the city, is alive. He feels Bengalureans are more open and receptive to experimental comedy shows. In an interview with Nina C George, Gideon shares his experience of being here in the city.
Thoughts on the comedy scene in the city...
I usually never miss a chance to watch the comedy festivals that happen across the globe. Here, I found standup comedy happening in every restaurant, including the Bengaluru Comedy Festival. I found these shows to be very entertaining. The shows here run into packed houses and attract not only people but performers as well. People here have a good sense of humour.
What is the major difference between audience here and overseas?
The major difference that I see is that people overseas are quick in finding their own spaces to perform. There's no dearth of talent here either but I think, it is taking time for more people to come forward and popularise standup comedy shows and festivals knit around it.
Your experiences of working in standup comedy...
I used to perform in the theatre troupe in school and dabbled with a bit of standup comedy later on. But I got interested in the visual side of presenting comedy shows. Although, I enjoy performing, I find the happenings on the visual aspect more interesting.
How do you interpret standup comedy?
Comedy shows and live acts are powerful tools to get a message across to people. It makes for some interesting conversation. In India, standup comedians talk about simple things such as political happenings or turn the spotlight on life in Bollywood. Comedy is an integral part of Indian culture.
How has your childhood influenced your choice of career?
I spent most of my growing up years in Mornington which is a small place in Australia. Everybody in that town knew each other. Those days, going to a movie was a big thing. Standup comedy was just emerging back then and now it seems to have caught on with a lot of young adults and grownups as well.
Thoughts on Bengaluru...
I've come to the city more as tourist. This is perhaps the first time that I've come on work. I made the best of my best here by strolling around in Cubbon Park and I even got a chance to visit the Vidhana Soudha. Nobody leaves without picking up something from here, so I too bought clothes for family.
Standup comedy and theatre have always been a part of Gideon James’ growing up years. He has moved on from being a performer of standup comedy to more serious roles of managing the visual and production side of shows. He is presently the Associate Director at Melbourne International Comedy Festival and finds his job exciting and challenging. Gideon, who was in the city recently, thinks the standup comedy scene, in the city, is alive. He feels Bengalureans are more open and receptive to experimental comedy shows. In an interview with Nina C George, Gideon shares his experience of being here in the city.
Thoughts on the comedy scene in the city...
I usually never miss a chance to watch the comedy festivals that happen across the globe. Here, I found standup comedy happening in every restaurant, including the Bengaluru Comedy Festival. I found these shows to be very entertaining. The shows here run into packed houses and attract not only people but performers as well. People here have a good sense of humour.
What is the major difference between audience here and overseas?
The major difference that I see is that people overseas are quick in finding their own spaces to perform. There’s no dearth of talent here either but I think, it is taking time for more people to come forward and popularise standup comedy shows and festivals knit around it.
Your experiences of working in standup comedy...
I used to perform in the theatre troupe in school and dabbled with a bit of standup comedy later on. But I got interested in the visual side of presenting comedy shows. Although, I enjoy performing, I find the happenings on the visual aspect more interesting.
How do you interpret standup comedy?
Comedy shows and live acts are powerful tools to get a message across to people. It makes for some interesting conversation. In India, standup comedians talk about simple things such as political happenings or turn the spotlight on life in Bollywood. Comedy is an integral part of Indian culture.
How has your childhood influenced your choice of career?
I spent most of my growing up years in Mornington which is a small place in Australia. Everybody in that town knew each other. Those days, going to a movie was a big thing. Standup comedy was just emerging back then and now it seems to have caught on with a lot of young adults and grownups as well.
Thoughts on Bengaluru...
I’ve come to the city more as tourist. This is perhaps the first time that I’ve come on work. I made the best of my best here by strolling around in Cubbon Park and I even got a chance to visit the Vidhana Soudha. Nobody leaves without picking up something from here, so I too bought clothes for family.