Anisa Nandaula, a comedian with a unique perspective shaped by her multicultural background, is making notable waves in the comedy scene with her distinctive style and confident stage presence. Born in Uganda and having moved to the rural Australian city of Rockhampton as a child, Nandaula draws extensively on her experiences navigating cultural contrasts and confronting prejudices in her comedy.
Her set explores a range of themes centred around cultural identity and social expectations, highlighting the differing attitudes she has encountered both as a black woman in a predominantly white rural setting and as someone balancing multiple cultural influences. Nandaula addresses the often startling and inappropriate remarks made to her in rural Queensland, contrasting these with the societal constraints on speech faced by a mainly white audience, suggesting that she occupies a space where certain things can be said more freely.
Nandaula’s comedy touches on familial dynamics, particularly reflecting on her African heritage. She openly shares her envy of the degree of personal independence sometimes enjoyed within white families while simultaneously mining her own family life for material. Her mother is depicted as the archetypal straightforward African matriarch, and her father’s journey from poverty to professional achievement as a doctor, albeit with some ethical ambiguity, provides additional narrative depth. Further layers are added by her relationship with a Chinese boyfriend, broadening the ethnic and cultural scope of her material.
Reviewing her performance, critic Steve Bennett of Chortle highlighted Nandaula’s ability to deliver her stories with a light, conversational tone, punctuated by humour that ranges from the silly to the dark. Bennett emphasised her polished character and delivery, noting her background as a beat poet contributes to her poised and confident presence, unusual for a festival debutant. Her sense of understated mischief and smooth crowd interaction create a sense of fluidity and spontaneity throughout her hour-long set.
While Bennett observed that the show lacked a strong unifying narrative, feeling more like a collection of stand-alone anecdotes than a cohesive thematic journey, he praised Nandaula’s skill and confidence. Notably, she does not shy away from bold moments on stage, such as turning her back to the audience to chant from the Quran, reflecting a fearless approach to performance. Bennett also mentioned her growing popularity in Melbourne, bolstered by a significant social media following, marking her out as a comedian to watch in the coming years.
Anisa Nandaula’s work offers a fresh voice in contemporary comedy, addressing serious social issues through accessible and engaging storytelling, enriched by her multifaceted cultural experiences. Her rising profile in the comedy circuit underlines an increasing appetite for diverse and nuanced perspectives in live entertainment.
Source: Noah Wire Services