Brown Sauce, the leading London-based monthly comedy club for South Asian comedy, is excited to announce its partnership with Tara Theatre for an exclusive comedy lab and showcase event: The inaugural Comedy Lab will be on Friday 29th September, as part of the brand-new Tara Specials series. This collaboration aims to provide a unique opportunity for new South Asian unsigned comedy enthusiasts and performers to showcase their talent and connect with like-minded individuals.
The Comedy Lab offers aspiring comedians the chance to participate in a free one-day workshop in London, where they will receive expert guidance from comedy professionals, honing their stand-up skills and expanding their comedic repertoire. This exclusive workshop will culminate in a ticketed showcase event, where participants will have the incredible opportunity to perform up to a 5-minute routine alongside a top headliner.
"Starting out in the comedy world isn't easy, but with this partnership, we seek to change that by creating more spaces for the South Asian Community," says Sharlin Jahan, Founder of Brown Sauce. "The Comedy Lab is a fantastic chance for emerging South Asian comedians to shine and be part of a supportive community."
Producing work and providing a space for artists to grow for four decades, Tara Theatre is the UK's oldest global majority-led theatre company. Exploring the world through a South Asian lens and fostering the growth and exploration of creative expression, Tara Theatre has been a steadfast supporter of South Asian performers, writers, directors, musicians, and choreographers. Leading the way with its commitment to innovative and politically charged theatre while providing a nurturing environment for new and emerging artists, Tara Theatre’s CEO and Artistic Director Abdul Shayek says: “Comedy has been such a crucial part of the diaspora. It’s a way for us to tell our story and laugh at ourselves. Additionally, comedy allows us to point out the contradictions and challenges of institutional racism that sit at the heart of how the South Asian community has been treated”. Shayek continues “Comedy seems to be an integral part of how the diaspora connect with each other. This is why we must support the next generation of South Asian comedians”.
Tara Theatre’s Senior Producer Neena Shea comments “We wanted to create a home where South Asian rising stars and emerging comedians can meet other artists and support each other.”
Limited spots are available for The Comedy Lab, and aspiring comedians are encouraged to apply before the deadline of August 11th, 2023. Successful applicants will be notified by August 28th, and the workshop and showcase will take place on September 29th. Eligibility criteria include being of South Asian background and having 0-2 years of experience on the comedy scene.
The actress defended her claim that acting demands more than desk jobs in a recent interview.
She said office workers can "chill out" during work hours, unlike film stars.
Fans and working professionals called her comments privileged and out of touch.
The backlash started after her appearance on Amazon Prime's Two Much with Kajol & Twinkle.
Critics pointed out the financial gap and support systems actors have compared to regular employees.
Kajol probably didn't expect this reaction when she sat down with Twinkle Khanna on Two Much. But her comments about actors working harder than people with 9-to-5 jobs have blown up, and not in a good way.
Fans slam Kajol after she says actors work harder than regular employees sparking online outrage Getty Images
The comments that started it all
Kajol was speaking out about her earlier comments on Two Much with Kajol & Twinkle on Amazon Prime, where she said actors work harder than most people. This time she was explaining why she thinks that.
She told The Hollywood Reporter India that her days are full of shoots, events, and very early flights. One day involved waking at 5 AM to catch a flight to Jaipur for a 3 PM event.
But it was her take on regular jobs that got people talking. She claimed desk workers don't need to be "100% present" and can take breaks, "chill out," and relax while working. She kept coming back to the unending scrutiny actors face like the feeling of always being watched or something as simple as how you cross your legs or who's snapping a picture in the background becomes a constant calculation. You have to be switched on, she insisted, all the time.
The internet, frankly, was having none of it. YouTube and Reddit exploded with responses. "For the kind of remuneration actors are paid, they shouldn't have a problem working 12 hours a day for 4 days a week," one user wrote. Another pointed out that films typically take 3-4 months to shoot, while regular jobs run year-round.
The responses got more pointed. "Vanity mein naps or massages bhi toh hum lete hain," a Reddit user commented, referencing the comfort of vanity vans. Someone else joked: "If you work poorly, you get fired. If you act poorly, you get a Filmfare award."
The bluntest response yet? "Respectfully, Kajol, shut up."
Nobody denies acting is demanding. Long hours, public pressure, and constant judgement are very real. But comparing it to regular employment ignores some major differences.
Most people work 12 months a year with two weeks' holiday if they're lucky. They don't have spot boys fetching drinks or vanity vans for rest breaks. One netizen nailed it: "A working parent's schedule is continuous, every single day, with no wrap-up party or off-season."
Online erupts as Kajol defends claim that acting demands more than everyday 9-to-5 workGetty Images
There's also the money. While her fee for a single film is probably more than most people earn in a year, she says that doesn’t make the work easy. Still, it does provide a comfort that regular employees don’t have. Kajol has not yet replied to the backlash.
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