KUALA LUMPUR – Some of the biggest names in Malaysian comedy have spoken out against Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) move to halt the operations of their beloved Crackhouse Comedy Club, following a recent “blasphemous” skit by an open mic participant.
This comes after DBKL temporarily suspended the operating licence of the comedy club in Taman Tun Dr Ismail today after a video emerged showing a woman donning a headscarf before disrobing and revealing her skimpy clothing.
She was consequently accused of insulting Islam after the video clip of that part of the skit went viral on social media.
Veteran actor Datuk Afdlin Shauki Aksan said DBKL’s clampdown on the venue is unfair to its operator as the incident occurred during an open mic night, a time when aspiring stand-up comedians can experiment with new material.
Afdlin, who is also PETRA Media chief executive, also noted that places such as Crackhouse make immense contributions to the nation’s entertainment scene, despite not being highly profitable.
“The venue is not the problem and places like that need to stay open,” he told The Vibes when contacted.
“They don’t make a lot (of money) but help spur the comedy industry! I strongly disagree with the closing down of the venue.”
It’s like shutting the swimming pool because a swimmer is on steroids! It doesn’t make any sense.”
Crackhouse Comedy Club co-founder Rizal van Geyzel claimed that his team was thrilled to see a Malay woman in a headscarf wanting to participate in the event, but did not expect her to make “off-limits” jokes about religion.
Moving forward, he said he will be extra vigilant, and that his team will be trained to either escort “deviant aspiring comedians” off the stage, or deactivate the microphone immediately if someone insults any religion.
Popular standup comedian Dr Jason Leong echoed Afdlin, saying that the woman’s actions and the ensuing backlash were not the venue’s fault.
“The nature of an open mic comedy show is that anybody can show up to do a spot. They (Crackhouse) did not invite her to perform. They had just opened up their doors to anyone.”
“It’s hard to tell who will show up and what they’re going to do on stage. It’s beyond the venue’s control, especially at a show like an open mic.”
“You can have zero experience in standup, with no credentials and no one to back you up, and you can still get a spot at an open mic (session). It’s one of the most welcoming and open spaces in any art form.”
Tightrope between expression and sensitivity
Leong said the venue’s move to ban the performer after the ordeal “was the best thing to do” in walking the tightrope of fostering creative expression and being mindful of the country’s sensitivities.
He also said suggestions among netizens to have her dragged off the stage “by a bunch of dudes”, would “not look good” for the venue.
Another prominent comedian Kavin Jayaram, also known as Kavin Jay, said he was at the venue during the night of the incident.
“I had a show scheduled right after that open mic and the entire audience couldn’t stop talking about how shocked they were that it happened,” he said.
When I did an open mic with Rizal van Geyzel, we had a rule where you can do what you want but you cannot be an idiot. You cannot insult anybody or do anything that could be misconstrued.”
Asked about those who cheered for the women, Kavin said the audience members involved were her friends, while no one else from the crowd supported the skit.
Meanwhile, budding standup Prakash Daniel pointed out certain “double standards” when it came to authorities taking action against certain quarters.
“I remember when (singer) Faizal Tahir had an incident where he exposed his chest and revealed a Superman logo on stage, no one went after the broadcaster for airing it,” Prakash said.
“There was also a time when I joined the Maharaja Lawak contest on Astro when a team of Malay comedians dressed up as Indians. But no one said anything (even though it could be offensive).” – The Vibes, July 10, 2022
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