Using laughter to break tension and build hope

HYDE PANASER ON HIS LIFE AS A STAND-UP COMEDIAN AND FINDING THE FUNNY IN EVERYDAY EXPERIENCES

by ASJAD NAZIR

A WAVE of British Asian comedians are lighting up the live scene with explosive joke-fuelled sets and sending tremors across the UK.

One of the dynamite performers blowing up the scene is Hyde Panaser and like many stand-up comedians, he was influenced by the greats growing up, which included The Real McCoy, Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor and the Goodness Gracious Me cast. After university, he attended an Asian stand-up night and was inspired to also pursue the same career.

Since performing his first stand-up gig in 2007, the talented funny man has steadily risen through the ranks and is today one of best British Asian comedians on the live circuit.

Eastern Eye caught up with Panaser to talk about his comedy journey and finding the funny.

How do you feel being in front of a live audience?

Being in front of an audience when a gig is going well is the best rush. It’s addictive and since I don’t do any drugs, it’s my alternative. However, when the gig isn’t going so well, you question life. So let’s just say it’s like an emotional rollercoaster; you don’t want to get off, but there are highs and lows.

Do you ever get competitive when you are on a line-up with other great comedians?

I’ve been lucky to work with amazing acts who are not just supportive, but have become great friends. I think we respect each other more than see each other as competition. That’s what I love about comedy; you have your own viewpoint. You might see someone’s comedy and think ‘oh I wish I had thought of that’, but on the whole it’s out of admiration. We all want to get the laughs, but we have our own style of getting them. So it’s difficult to compete when you have your own voice.

Do you ever get nervous before a show?

Like you wouldn’t believe. When I first started out, I couldn’t talk to people before going on stage, I was just too nervous. Over time, I’ve learnt to deal with it better, but every gig brings something new and with that the nerves kick in. I still can’t eat a good few hours before going to a gig, by few I mean about eight hours. People tend to say I look relaxed on stage, but inside I’m running around at about 100mph screaming like the kid from Home Alone.

What has been your most memorable gig?

A couple that spring to mind. One was playing at the Comedy Store in London. I had gone there numerous times as an audience member and was exposed to many comedians, some who I had grown up watching on TV. When I got to play on the same stage as them, it felt like an amazing accomplishment. Another was playing at The Watermans Theatre in Brentford where I had set up my own comedy night, Humili-Asian, and it was sold out with me doing a one-hour set at the end. I had an amazing show, but later I realised my car had been stolen while I was on stage. We watched the CCTV to see a guy getting backstage, finding my car keys and going to the car park pressing the alarm to find the car. The car was recovered and I used it to promote the next show.

Where do you draw your comedy inspiration from?

Some 80 to 90 per cent is based on my experiences. I draw from real life and then develop the ideas further to see how far I can push it. Sometimes it can be from conversations with friends and family, or I might see a video that gets the creative juices flowing. So, life is my inspiration.

Who is your comedy hero?

It would be Eddie Murphy. I grew up watching his movies. I loved the way he acted out his stories, especially in Raw and Delirious. The way he performed, the energy and characters he delivered, was just amazing.

Who is the funniest person you know in real life?

Probably my parents. I can get a whole show out from sitting with them for five minutes.

Are you under pressure to be funny in real life?

At home, probably not so much, as they don’t see me as funny, but some people do expect me to be funny constantly in real life. I’m probably more sarcastic in real life, maybe more like Chandler from Friends (even saying that, I’ve put pressure on myself now). The stage is where I am a pumped up version of myself.

Has being funny ever helped you in your everyday life?

I think it has. I use humour to break the tension in situations. But I think humour has definitely helped me make friends. When I was at school, I was bullied, but quickly learnt to be witty. Back then, there were cussing matches and ‘your mum’ jokes. Somehow I became good at these to stop me from getting beaten up.

What is the reaction that you get when someone asks you your job and you say that ‘I am a comedian’?

You always get the age-old reaction ‘go on then, tell us a joke’. That makes me want to stab a blunt spoon into my eye and swirl it about; only joking, I’m not into self-harm. See, it does not work like that.

Why do you love comedy?

It is a great tool to break down tension and misconceptions. I like playing on stereotypes to show people that things are not the way they may perceive them. I have seen people’s reactions change to certain situations when I come on stage and talk about the colour of my skin, among others. I think there’s a certain beauty in making a room full of strangers laugh at something you said and for that moment everyone is on the same page. Plus, the rush and high you get from it is like no other drug, and I have had Night Nurse.

Visit: Twitter & Instagram: @hydepanaser and www.hydepanaser.com