Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

This man had fun interacting with performer Donna Haddad at the International Comedy Festival, held at the Hilton Kingston hotel, New Kingston, in July 2005. Owen 'Blakka' Ellis points out that an audience of 1,500 in the Hilton is the largest that comedy has attracted in Jamaica, while in Trinidad 28,000 pack into the National Stadium for a barrel of laughs. - File

"Tek bad tings mek joke" can be regarded as a Caribbean motto. Notwithstanding the dilapidated state of government, rampant crime and other problems, Jamaica and other Caribbean countries have a thriving comedy scene, making jokes from the region's ills.

Despite the upswing in interest in comedy in Jamaica, other Caribbean islands have already developed comedy into a viable business. "In other Caribbean islands the comedy scene is more vibrant than here," comedian Ity says. "Barbados, Trinidad and Antigua, they have regular comedy shows, they attract like 10,000-15000 people per show. In Jamaica there are more choices in terms of entertainment. There's a vibrant theatre scene, there is dancehall and tons of parties. That's not so in Trinidad, where there is mainly soca and soca events."

Vibrant

Owen 'Blakka' Ellis concurs that "The Caribbean comedy scene is very vibrant, alive and fulfilling, both for the performers and the sponsors. In terms of how big the crowds are it's definitely different for Jamaica. Comedy is much bigger in Trinidad. You can have like 28,000 people packed in their National Stadium, yet the most we have had here is like 1,500 at the Hilton ballroom. In terms of comedy acts, there are a lot more established acts in Trinidad. You can have like 15 established acts that make their living from comedy alone."

Blakka attributes this to a number of reasons. "In Jamaica we take things too seriously; it's not inclusive. There are so many class divisions and that makes it harder to laugh at ourselves. In Trinidad now it's more all inclusive. At Carnival everyone joins in, you can revel and dance with the president's wife and no one would care. You can joke at the Parliament, at the entertainers. Here you have to watch which entertainer, which politician you mek joke after or they will vex. You have to choose the right entertainer," he said.

Although there are varying levels of comedy, the material is generally the same. "Most of the comedians I know, their style is influenced by subjects such as relationships, love and current affairs. I went to another country and heard the comedian talking about Portia Simpson and her being the first female Prime Minister. Me and Fancy Cat have in our act how we went to Barbados and 'bulla' meant something entirely different from here," Ity said.

Similar issues

"The material is similar. Caribbean comedy issues are the same and we laugh at the same things. In Trinidad and Barbados you will find the use of costumes more, 'cause that's part of their culture. In Trinidad you have more variety; you will have men in drag and that's not frowned upon. Now here we are finding more comedy costumed acts, but not as much," Blakka said.

Trinidad carries a hard crowd, as Ity relates. "Trinidad is a tough place for us. They have the most comedians in the Caribbean. Antigua is not so bad, 'cause their accent is similar. I remember when me and Fancy Cat performed in Trinidad they had a huge stage like what you'd see at Sunsplash. Yet, we overcame the challenge; we did new things like dancing and it worked," he said.

The language barrier is, if not fallen, at least lowered. Ity says "There was a time when you had to speak standard English when you perform abroad, but now we can talk more patois and people understand us. But there are still cases where you have to change some words or it will go over their heads.

Like in St. Lucia we mentioned 'johncrow' and everyone was wondering what that was." Blakka also says "People used to tell me in the '80s that our accent would be distracting, but we have crossed over. We just have to go deeper."

The United States is one of the major territories to which this crossover has taken place. Ity says "TV-wise you won't see any Jamaicans on Comic View, but that will change 'cause their comedians come here and go back and talk about us. But it's not as easy for us, like it is for reggae music. There are so many comedians in the U.S. We are growing and it's getting better. However, me and Fancy Cat and Blakka are going to New York to do this show called Hey Mon, a television series which features Caribbean comedians. It broadens our scope. The United States is the most popular location for us to go, to the different places where Caribbean people can be found."

Like a brand

Blakka says "When we perform in North America and England Jamaica is like a brand. Jamaica is so loved, they expect a lot from us. They have bought into the idea that Jamaica is so great. I've been to places and before I even crack a joke people are laughing. If they watch videos and cassettes they would have been sold into the idea of Jamaica."

However, there are differences in style across borders. Ity says "I think in terms of style Caribbean and international acts differ. I find U.S. acts use a lot more taboo subjects like sex. Caribbean acts use their culture. Like on Comic View your're guaranteed to hear about either sex or religion."

As Blakka puts it, "We draw a lot more on our lifestyles, on Caribbean contradictions. We spend less time on relationships, mothers-in-law and presidents, but talk about everyday occurrences, simple things."

However, some comedians make things look too 'simple', depicting a somewhat negative image. Blakka says "I think in Jamaica, more effort needs to be taken. We need to create material.

"Don't take jokes from off the Internet, make your own stuff. Avoid buffoon comedy, where you look ridiculous for the sake of comedy. It's popular in Jamaica where you have a stupid person who comes from country and is dazzled by modernity.

"I personally resent that. I put on decent clothes and engage the audience on something substantial and relevant, but funny. People have to understand that comedy is a serious art which requires planning."