Back to basics with Abish Mathew

The stand-up comic revisits his southern roots with his upcoming tour

August 10, 2018 05:20 pm | Updated 05:20 pm IST

For the past couple of months, Abish Mathew has been laughing at the jokes of others, from fellow comedian Kenny Sebastian’s one-liners on their recent duo tour, to fresh improvisation from newfound talent on the Amazon Prime show, Comicstaan .

But now, he is ready to take the stage with his first-ever solo stand-up national tour, that kicked off in Puducherry yesterday, and travels to Chennai today. Mathew has high regard for tonight’s audience. “The Chennai crowd is extremely intelligent and has the most nuanced sense of humour. That brings out the best of me and challenges my intellect – that in and of itself makes it one of the best shows to do,” he says.

In the game

While it is surprising that a tour comes so late — he is, after all, one of the country’s veteran comics — Mathew considers this the true litmus test. While he just came off tour with Sebastian, he admits, “A solo show is a little nerve-wracking. The entire responsibility lies on one person, right from selling the tickets to making sure that the audience gets what they want.”

However, he sounds prepared for the challenge. Tapping into his South Indian roots, the tour brings together Mathew’s comic sensibilities with his experiences as an actor, writer, talk show host and, well, comedian. “I wanted it to be as unique as possible so it won’t just be your routine stand-up. I incorporate physical comedy, focus on expressions, try jokes without words. I was just trying to make myself laugh,” he explains. It all culminates with Mathew’s own upcoming Amazon Prime special, which will feature the best of the upcoming tour and air in October.

New challenges

While Mathew hopes for newer avenues to explore, the popularity of Comicstaan (which he co-hosts with Sumukhi Suresh, and has been renewed for a second season earlier this week) is indicative of Indian comedy’s evolution, he says. “The show really gave us all a wake-up call in regards to what is now possible in comedy. Not to mention that it forced us to introspect on our writing and really get the hustle to get back on stage,” he adds.

Does this intimidate him? Mathew chuckles, “Not at all! We are constantly being challenged every time we get on stage. If anything, being surrounded by such a bank of talent just proves what a support system comedy in India has now.” His mantra, and suggestion for upcoming comics, is this: “Go again. You’ve just got to go on stage again and again and again, no matter how good or bad your last show was. Eventually, a transformation will take place. You won’t suck, your jokes will start to land and, you might even become a stand-up comic one day.”

LOLStars featuring Abish Mathew is on tonight at RR Sabha, Mylapore, at 7 pm. Tickets from ₹349 to ₹883 on insider.in.

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