Jake Mace
Today we’re joined for a binary beverage by Sezar Alkassab, a Glaswegian comedian bringing his new show Laughable to Prague Fringe at the end of this month. Sezar is hoping to land silly stories, provocative punchlines and self-deprecating humour rooted in an exploration of cultural difference, dating and turning the big three-zero. We sat down to chat all things coffee, being Scottish-born with Iraqi parents, and being a Prague Fringe First-Timer.
You can catch Laughable at Charles Bridge Comedy Club between the 22nd and 24th May (times vary). Tickets are available through the Prague Fringe Box Office.
Jake: Hi Sezar! Your show ‘Laughable’ is landing at Prague Fringe later this month – tell us all about finding humour from cultural differences, dating and turning 30.
Sezar: I have a very self-deprecating humour, and I’m often the butt of my jokes, whether it’s something I did, said, or thought. Dating is a very relatable subject, and being in my 30s, I can connect with my audience more because they are usually of a similar age. Being Scottish-born to Iraqi parents, I have unique experiences in life, and I can give insights and observations which audiences have never heard before.
Jake: You describe the show as made up of self-deprecating humour, informed observations and provocative punchlines – tell us a little about your comedic process and what you’re hoping to achieve with this show.
Sezar: My material usually comes from my gut feelings about the subject matter, and the truth in the humour usually gets the biggest laughs. I usually start by just saying how I feel about something to gauge how an audience reacts and build from there. I do many shows and sculpt and polish the routines over time.
Jake: You’ve performed in Stockholm, Barcelona and more international spots – how are you feeling about bringing your comedy to Prague?
Sezar: I’m looking forward to performing stand-up in Prague. I’m curious to know what the audiences are like and how my humour will be received. I’m very confident in my show as I’ve done it numerous times, but I know some jokes may be interpreted differently in a different culture. It’s always interesting to find out how humour differs in other countries.
Jake: Now that we’re gearing up for Prague Fringe, what are you most excited for?
Sezar: I’ve never visited Prague before, so I’m excited to see art galleries, museums, and as much art as possible during my stay.
Jake: Given the themes of Binge Fringe, if your show was a beverage of any kind (alcoholic, non-alcoholic – be as creative as you like!), what would it be and why?
Sezar: It would probably be coffee. I usually go to a cafe before shows to write and review my notebook, which now has coffee cup ring stains and spills on the pages. My order is usually an iced latte with extra shots of coffee, and it’s often a large cup too.
