Mirza told www. We never had such a problem in Scotland. He previewed the characters at Tara Arts theatre in South London last month with Bashir offering many modern homespun homilies that will tickle, while Hamsta was much more, at the time, a work in progress.
The characters are new, different and insightful about modern Britain. Not everything worked, but he is pushing the envelope. The veteran comic told www. Why are we frightened? It is all about the context in which the person is saying it β we have had that argument about Kiwis, Aussies β the context of the person saying it is more important to me now than the word itself.
Sure, when Asians use the word, it has a different impact and one that usually is more playful than offensive but can white people do the same? Slurs are always about what the other person thinks it is.
Mirza was best when ad-libbing and involving the audience and his character Bashir is very recognisable and streetwise and endearing, all in a very British way. Indeed, Bashir has a gay son and Mirza subverts the expected response with wit and wisdom. The veteran comedian also displays a far acuter understanding of cultural dynamics than the vast majority of our mass media, which subconsciously or not, equate religion with reactionary. There is a greater acceptance of different lifestyles and choices, provided they do not impinge on others.
But gay mums, in the closet clerics, watch out your secret is absolutely safe with Abu Hamstaβ¦. What do you think? Comment on twitter or facebook by clicking on the links at the top of the page. Below are some webpages really worth checking out.
