Nazeem Hussain – Hussain In The Membrane at The Garden Of Unearthly Delights – Adelaide Fringe Review

The Garden Of Unearthly Delights – Studio 7, Wed 2 Mar Nazeem Hussain - comedian, failed boxer and brown person – is at his best when he’s pointing out the absurdities of racist Australian culture. Hussain’s take on being brown in a largely white country is on point, funny, yet strangely safe. Even when he’s talking about ISIS and ‘radicalised’ five year olds he draws a laugh. There was no sense of ‘too soon’ in the full and stuffy Studio 7 tent. The audience was prepared to go there with him, wherever that was (the over the top reaction to a mosque in Bendigo? Hilarious! The stupid blind racism of internet trolls? Hysterical!) because Hussain is so intensely likeable that everyone wants to be on that ride. He’s the cool kid in the room that everyone wants to be friends with – maybe because he points out their failings in a way that makes them aware but still on side, or maybe because he’s just so damn funny. It was refreshing to see a comedy show that didn’t rely on f-bombs for laughs, but rather used language smartly, turning ideas on their tails and throwing prejudices into the spotlight. Hussain sold out his debut solo show around Australia and Europe in 2015 and bagged hard core comedy award nominations for his TV show Legally Brown and it’s easy to see why – he’s damn good value and the laughs are guaranteed. Lynette Washington Nazeem Hussain – Hussain In The Membrane continues at The Garden Of Unearthly Delights – Studio 7 from 8.15pm until Sun 6 Mar. Book at FringeTIX on 1300 621 255 or adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets.