John Achkar: His Country Is Collapsing. He’s Having A Baby. So Obviously, This Is The Right Year For A Lebanese Comedian You’ve Never Heard Of To Try English Stand-Up For The First Time comedy review – Without barriers
A heartfelt hour of storytelling about fatherhood, hope and finding humour amid upheaval
It’s warm and stuffy in the small, crimson-draped room, where we’re handed little electric fans to cool off. But the tiny gadgets are never switched on as the space is captured by every word John Achkar speaks. As the lengthy title suggests, this is the story of a man whose country is falling apart while he navigates fatherhood and explores comedy in a different language. Yet, to anyone clueless about this last point, it would be hard to guess that this is Achkar’s first rodeo in English.
His stand-up is peppered with storytelling, full of colourful details, and delivered with expert timing. He steps on stage with quiet confidence, cultural savvy and charisma that shines through from start to finish. At its core, the hour is a reminder of the small moments, at times seemingly insignificant yet fully authentic, that make up a person’s unique story. It is a show about hope, recharging depleted emotional batteries, looking on the positive side of life and making the most of it. Achkar’s tale gently mirrors a shared human experience that knows no language barriers.
John Achkar: His Country Is Collapsing. He’s Having A Baby. So Obviously, This Is The Right Year For A Lebanese Comedian You’ve Never Heard Of To Try English Stand-Up For The First Time, Just The Tonic Caves, until 30 August, 3.40pm; Underbelly Bristo Square, 30 August, 6.50pm.