COMEDY REVIEW: REDUNDANT
19.05.2023 at Basement Theatre
This review is part of the 2023 Comedy Festival Lineup!
Jess Karamjeet, an undeniably talented pan-Asian comedian, leaves me thoroughly entertained and emotionally moved in her musical-comedy, Redundant. Karamjeet’s performance is a rollercoaster ride of emotions with unexpected punchlines and twists that left my mouth hanging open in awe. She deftly weaves together comedy and raw, heart-wrenching anecdotes, eliciting both laughter and tears from the audience. Karamjeet touches on a range of topics, including sex and sexuality, grief, hidden disabilities, neurodivergence, family conflicts, and her fondness for the Australian soap opera, Neighbours.
The stage setup exudes a sense of warmth and comfort, evocative of a cozy nook. The layout is perfectly suited for the performance, with a microphone stand, guitar, bookshelf, and a glass of wine, catching our eye.
As a minority myself, it is heart-warming to see Karamjeet, a woman of colour, on the stage, sharing her talents, perspective, and experiences. Karamjeet reminds myself and others that we too can achieve anything in this world: nothing is off-limits and we don’t have to be confined by the net of stereotypes. I love how Karamjeet is so open about her life. Through her unfiltered, raw stories, she broadens my horizons and challenges my perspectives in unexpected ways. One quote that really resonated with me is: “stories are powerful. I am powerful.”
Karamjeet boldly touches on sensitive topics, including the presence of favouritism for male heirs in some Asian families - which is definitely still relevant today. How can we truly impress our families and prove our worth when they already have such a deeply ingrained prejudices about something we were unable to choose at birth? This topic is often swept under the carpet, and I am so grateful that Karamjeet addresses it in a relatable and poignant way.
I appreciate Karamjeet’s openness in discussing sexuality and sex. Her comical and quick-witted anecdotes add another layer of depth to her already rich performance. Being the eldest daughter of six girls in a conservative Asian family, I cannot even imagine exploring these conversations when I was in my teens. The refreshingly raw and unfiltered way Karamjeet shares her experiences as a pan-sexual woman creates a safe and intimate space for the audience. It feels like I am given a pep-talk by the older sister I never had, or that I am at a slumber party with a close friend, where anything goes and nothing is off-limits.
Additionally, Karamjeet pulls heartstrings by sharing her experiences with fibromyalgia, a hidden disability, and despite experiencing pain, she continues to deliver a fantastic performance with a smile on her face. Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that causes pain and tenderness through the body, as well as fatigue and difficulty sleeping. Karamjeet shares the impacts of this condition in a way that is both informative and entertaining, again touching on sensitive and taboo topics. Karamjeet also incorporates her ADHD diagnosis in a way that definitely adds spice to the momentum of the show. She reminds us to accept ourselves for who we are, to embrace our “flaws” and let them propel us into discovering our best potential. Mental disorders and disabilities shouldn’t be a taboo subject or something to be ashamed of.
Beyond her comedic talents, Karamjeet impresses us with her beautiful voice and guitar-playing skills. Karamjeet sings about her most memorable characters from Neighbours, a soap opera both myself and Karamjeet started watching when we were both, coincidentally, 8 years old.
The way Karamjeet blends the music from her live guitar-playing with her excellent vocals creates a stunning serenade, pulling the audience into her world. The music is accompanied by a sudden change of lighting; a spotlight on Karamjeet’s face glows within the darkness of the room. During this moment, I felt a sense of nostalgia wash over me, and I started to picture the characters and the storylines from Neighbours all over again. Unfortunately, none of my friends were interested in watching Neighbours, so this was the first time I felt a strong sense of connection with someone else who also loves the show.
I was impressed to learn that Karamjeet achieved her dream of writing for Neighbours, which is why it also pains me to learn about what happened next, and her complex feelings when the show was canceled last year. I admire Karamjeet for her courage and ambition, as she recounts the bittersweet journey of back-packing from the UK to Australia to achieve this dream.
During the show, Karamjeet also shares with the audience the story of her father, who unfortunately had motor neurone disease and has now passed away. Karamjeet uses Neighbours to poignantly explore this grief. The warmth and sincerity in Karamjeet’s voice as she speaks and sings is so moving. It was such a precious moment. I had tears streaming down my face and could hear sniffling sounds from other audience members.
Overall, Redundant is a powerful and thoroughly enjoyable experience. I hope everyone can see this performance because it is important and beautiful. Jess Karamjeet is clearly an incredibly lovely and talented person, and I highly recommend people to support her at her next show.
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