“Freedom of speech is fragile in Malaysia.”
WHO: Rizal van Geyzel
WHAT: “Rizal Van Geyzel (as seen on Comedy Central Asia) was put in jail for telling jokes about his Islamic heritage. After a year under fire from right-wing extremists, a hostile government, and a sedition hearing, Rizal Van Geyzel comes to the Fringe for the first time to tell the story of how it happened, and what it means for the role of comedy, and the impact it has had on freedom of speech in Malaysia. Don’t worry, all this sounds a bit heavy but the show is really funny.”
WHERE: Laughing Horse @ Bar 50 – Upstairs (Venue 151)
WHEN: 21:00 (60 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
Coming from Malaysia, this festival will be exciting for me on so many levels. We do not have any arts festivals of this magnitude back home, and on top of that, The UK is a much older nation compared to Malaysia and I will be keen to explore the city and all its historical sites. The EdFringe will certainly open my eyes and expand my understanding on the many different genres of the performing arts.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
2022 will be remembered as the year Stand-up Comedy came under attack. The Comedy Club I ran for 8 years was vandalised, and shut down by the authorities. I received death threats, got arrested, remanded and charged by the high court for uploading my Comedy clips with jokes that allegedly insulted race and religion. All thanks to the oscars and Will Smiths wife!
Jokes aside, one of the many lessons I learnt is that freedom of speech is fragile in Malaysia and stand-up comedy may not be the universal language I so thought it was.
Tell us about your show.
The show is produced by RGB Monster, a production company with a lot of experience running festival shows all over the world namely, “Not My Audience”, “Inside The Robot”, & other lineup shows. This show “Arrested” however, will be produced by them for the first time and will be debuting internationally at the Edinburgh Fringe after a successful run in its home country, Malaysia.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
The Asian Comedy Showcase at 2.45pm at the Laughing Horse will be featuring loads of talents from countries where Comedy is banned!
Sam See’s Government Approved Sex! will be at the same venue at 7.15pm. Sam is one of the most lightning quick comics I’ve seen come out (in more ways than one) of the grassroots of Singapore’s Comedy Scene.
Ollie Horn “Not Much”, happening at Just The Tonic at 6.25pm. Why Ollie Horn isn’t a household name in the UK is beyond me. He’s extremely clever, and exudes a very British like charismatic charm thats good enough to colonise countries.. again.
LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! FIND US ON FACEBOOK! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!
INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!
Get Your Coats On 