Funnyman Peters coming to town

WITH his legions of fans who purchased tickets to his shows the moment they hit the market, Russell Peters ( right) is perhaps one of the most popular internationally-acclaimed standup comedians ever.

Peters has also enjoyed an enviable career in film and television with his newer works including The Indian Detective (on Netflix), and upcoming films Supercon and Adventures in Public School.

On March 2, Peters will be performing at Axiata Arena as part of his Deported World Tour. He has performed here before, in 2012 and 2015.

In an email interview organised by show promoter PR Worldwide, Peters said: “The Deported World Tour features all new material. And I have to say that I’m pretty happy with this new set – which is unusual for me, because I’m my own worst critic.”

Thanks to social media, we are exposed to so many new comedians. When asked how one remains relevant the way he has for so many years with so much competition out there, Peters said: “It takes at least eight years for a comedian to find [his/her] voice. So it’ll be interesting to see where some of the new kids land as they get better at their craft.

“For me, doing stand-up is something that I have to do. It’s my calling. I guess the fact that I still love doing it after almost 30 years keeps me in the game.

“The best advice that I ever got [was] from George Carlin back in 1992. He told me to get on stage as much as possible: ‘It doesn’t matter where, just get up there and do it’.”

While he may have pushed the envelope on many topics, religion remains taboo though other stuff, for him, is fair game.

“A comedian can’t be censored ... I don’t think that political correctness has any place in comedy.

“Comedians are the truth tellers. We have to be able to express ourselves without worrying about people’s sensitivities.

“We don’t set out to offend, but there’s always going to be someone who processes what you’re saying through [his/ her] own filters – we can’t control that.

“Comedy isn’t for the sensitive.”

While he loves his job because it allows him to travel the world and make people laugh, he admits it is hard to be away from his daughter, Crystianna.

“She just turned seven and she’s this person who I can joke with, and who is very, very funny too. She always makes me laugh. Being away from her is the hardest thing in the world.” Having been