Race-centric comedy a winning formula
COMEDY REVIEW: Jordan Nix
Fresh
Khaled Khalafalla
Ya Yas
4 Stars
Being asked if anyone in the audience has married their cousin is not a question you expect to be asked, especially by a complete stranger, but Khaled Khalafalla is going to ask it anyway.
This is how the rising comic rolls and in his latest stand-up show Fresh, nothing is off limits.
Since coming runner-up in Triple J's RAW comedy competition, Khalafalla has exploded onto the scene with his unique take on race-centric comedy and Fresh follows the same winning formula.
His banter with the front-row audience produces some of the best laughs of the show.
Khalafalla manages, without consequence or awkwardness, to ask an audience member his sexual orientation and another if he would do something we can't print here for $1 million.
An inexperienced comic could really burn here but Khalafalla doesn't let dangerous territory faze him as he works the stage with confidence and ease seen only in a seasoned performer.
Fresh only briefly borders on political because for the most part, Khalafalla wants to have a good time.
His accents are spot on and he uses them to send up everyone from his mother, mechanic, air hostess and a whole range of ethnic stereotypes. A comparison of asylum seekers and flying Tiger Airways is hilarious.
There's a real shocker of a joke that will probably rub some punters the wrong way but Khalafalla also makes an astute observation about race and terrorism.
Fresh is a brand new show with plenty of first time material so there's room for improvement including the free-flowing thought process of getting a glass of water.
A joke about Egypt's borders is heading in the right direction but seems to stop before reaching the punch line.
A heartfelt epiphany is an odd but sincere way to end an otherwise upbeat comedy show. Khalafalla's belief in what he wants to achieve with his comedy and what the people of Perth have taught him is endearing.
Fresh firmly cements Khaled Khalafalla as one of comedy's hottest talents and a must-see at this year's Fringe.
Fresh runs until Feb 15.
