COMEDIENNE ESTHER MANITO ALL SET FOR HER GIG AT DUBAI OPERA
▶ This is the stand-up who fell into comedy and is now about to make history. Jason Von Berg talks to the funny woman about how it came to pass
Anyone who hails from Lebanon will know that a trip to the grocery store isn’t complete without at least a handful of lemons. Lebanese nationals love lemons. Then there’s the topic of hair, be it the hair on your head or body hair in general. Fact is there’s a lot of it, according to British-Lebanese comedienne Esther Manito.
As a woman of Arab descent and as someone who loves to tell funny and real stories, these are just some of the stereotypes she tackles when she’s on stage, performing around the world. From wife to daughter, mother to teacher, the funny woman has played many roles in her life, but the one that seemingly came out of nowhere is that of being a comedienne.
“Eight years ago, I worked in Dubai Knowledge Village teaching English as a foreign language,” she says, talking to
The National from her London home. “When my son was around seven months old, I decided it would be really cool to go and do a comedy course. I had no idea that I would end up working as a stand-up comic. I completely fell into it, but I absolutely love it.”
Now two years on, the award-winner is about to make history by becoming the first comedienne to perform at Dubai Opera this weekend. Manito, together with Omar Hamdi, Prince Abdi, Karim Duval, will play at the venue as part of Comedy Night, in association with “Arabs Are Not Funny” tomorrow.
There are a few other firsts attached to this gig. It will be her first time back to the city since she and her husband left, and some of her family members from Lebanon, whom she will meet for the first time will also be in the audience. So her excitement levels are palpable. “I’m incredibly excited and cannot wait to play to an audience in the UAE. It’s an absolute honour. It’s the type of thing that’s going to go on my headstone.”
A comedian’s mandate is simple: Make people laugh. For Esther, there are a few more aspects she considers before she performs. “Men walk onto the stage, and the audience is already on their side. I walk on stage as a woman and straight away I know I need to prove that I can make you laugh. There’s a barrier that you have to overcome, so it’s
Two years after taking a comedy course, Esther Manito is about to make history by becoming the first comedienne to perform at Dubai Opera
incredibly tough at times. And then there’s being an Arab, and a mother and all of these things. You really have to fight lots of stereotypes before you get them on your side.”
To challenge those, Esther mentions going in strong, and bold. Many young comediennes will go up on stage and talk about being single and looking for love. Manito has done that; she’s got the T-shirt, the family and the experiences that come with it. “I make jokes about being hairy because I walk on stage and I say yeah I’m Lebanese and you can tell that by looking at my eyebrows and my hair. Straight away I set up what I am. I get a lot of women, whether they’re Indian, African or Arab, coming up to me afterwards and saying that’s exactly how I felt.”
Some comedians choose to go down the path of being crude, politically incorrect to make a point. Manito likes to keep it real. From talking about being a mother or how her partner drives her mad at times, this is something many women can relate to, and what many men can agree with too.
“If I’m honest about my own experiences, people see that, and they see the humour in that. The reason why they find it funny is that they recognise it. My shows are not about insulting anyone or with malice. It’s all said in jest.”
With the increase of content consumption online, video on demand services like Netflix are commissioning more stand-up. Browse its catalogue today, and you will see comedy giants like Chris Rock, Trevor Noah, Steve Martin and Amy Schumer. With her career flourishing, Manito is looking to such platforms too. “I love Amy Schumer. What she is doing for body image is brilliant,” she says. “I’m trying to work towards creating something for TV showing women who come from a Muslim background, who are getting into stand-up comedy. I think that would be really interesting, whether they’re religious or coming from a family that is more westernised and finding their path in doing stand-up.”
While readers will have to wait for that, this gig will be unapologetic and packed with loads of observational humour and personal anecdotes.