From schoolboy humour to satire, Just For Laughs went down a storm

It was clear that most of the international comedians had made the effort to do a little research on Bermudian culture. It’s always refreshing to hear an outsiders’ perspective on island life — after all, there is plenty of raw material for them to draw from.

The crowd gave an enthusiastic welcome to Bermuda’s own Jonathan Young, who went on to prove there is exceptional talent on this island.

“Welcome Bermudians… permit holders, tourists,” he quipped as he first took to the stage and joked how he and his wife decided to stay in Bermuda as they wanted to be young grandparents. While shock was a big part of Young’s act, his delivery was excellent and material hilarious.

His scathing political jabs, directed mainly against the previous PLP administration, compares favourably to some of the best political satire from the U.K. and the U.S..

Listing Premier Ewart Brown’s achievements down on a Post-it Note, he recalled “recycling… of our National Hero, air arrivals… four Uyghurs to be precise… and an increase in net income — into his own pocket”.  He also took a strong swipe at Dr. Brown’s relationship with the media.

L.A.-based comedian Sebastian Maniscalco crept mildly onto the stage, whimpering: “I’m hungry. I got here Thursday and spent $48 on a burger.” It made him an instant hit with the crowd.

In true Maniscalco style he went on to moan about the annoying habits of his fellow humans. He ranted against Bermudians wearing flip flops to restaurants and eating food with their hands from a brown paper bag but stayed on this path a little too long and became a bit tedious. It was when he talked about trying to teach his father to use the Internet during a phone conversation that his act really took off.

“Open a window,” he instructed, to which his father replied: “Why? Will I get better reception?” And when his father asked him what to do with the foot pedal — which turned out to be the mouse he had on the floor — Maniscalco screamed: “It’s a computer not a sewing machine!”

Then, hankering after the days of his childhood, he did a marvellous impression of Prince who was unbearably cool despite being 4”2’ and wearing heels. Maniscaclo’s strength was his physical performance on stage which ranged from humping the bar stool to imitating a tiny Prince on a huge motorbike.

Godfrey Danchimah used the island’s quirks to full effect in his act. “There’s nothing to do here!” he screeched as he bounded onto stage. “I’ve been sat in my hotel room the whole time… I was so bored I almost joined Everest College!”

He did a hilarious impression of islanders scooting around on little mopeds and had everyone falling about laughing at his impression of locals popping out from every corner and crevice saying “good day”, “good afternoon”. “It’s a far cry from the city” he lamented, “would someone please just f***ing ignore me!” 

His performance was highly animated and enjoyable. The laughs died down a little when he moved on to jokes about religion —raised as a  Catholic, he did a hilarious impression of the chants he used to mime in Church but the more anti-church he became, the less the crowd took to him. He certainly redeemed himself at the end of his act with brilliant impressions of Barack Obama (whom he voted for because he is black) and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Gina Yashmere, a heavyweight on the British comedy scene, instantly noticed the dearth of black people in the audience. She talked of her mother’s decision to leave Nigeria and head to England: “Why England mum? Did you think one day — ‘I’m fed up of all this sunshine, I want to go somewhere there is more drizzle and subtle racism.’”

She went on to tease fat Americans — “the only nation to measure its food in feet” — and black people who are always late — the only people who can mess up a surprise birthday party by turning up at the same time as the special guest.

Her impression of modern hip-hop lyrics was a classic — she spouted out a barrage of misogynistic swearwords followed simply by “diamonds”.

Aside from her comments about the paucity of black people in the audience, there wasn’t a great deal of Bermuda-based content.

Last up was Bob Marley, whose crazy facial expressions played a huge part in his act, to great effect. He made no Bermuda jokes and his style of comedy was cringe inducing — speaking of the difficulty he had digesting food during the Aitkens diet he said he was “backed up like the mall car park at Christmas”. Much of the set was dominated by naughty schoolboy humour but it was well delivered and the crowd, many of whom had enjoyed a few drinks by now, loved every minute.

The show was ably hosted by the jovial Dom Irrera.