Self-effacing, self-deprecating humour is a staple in stand-up comedy but most of the time it’s used in a scattergun, one joke after another fashion. In his latest show (he’s performed at the MICF several times already) Malaysian export Jenhan Kuah does something different.
Electric Butterflies employs an extended narrative that hinges on a younger, more awkward phase of his life, a time in his early 20s when he was the very essence of “adorkable” in his inability to process emotions and tally them with corresponding actions.
In short, this is a story about the time Kuah met and became infatuated with an Uzbekistani lingerie model, Lilly, in Malayisa in 2010.
The clever thing about this show is that Kuah mixes truth and fiction (and a very funny manual, cardboard-based Photoshop presentation) as he spins his tale about love and loss in this hour-long rom com. Electric Butterflies takes us on this epic emotional and physical journey as Kuah courts Lily, with all the cringeful overthinking and missteps along the way.
Those of us who’ve ever been besotted with an unobtainable love interest will nod our heads in embarrassment and recognition and laugh too, at this young man’s wooing attempts. (There were plenty of sympathetic groans from the audience).
Kuah is a confident performer even though you can still shadows of the sweet and fumbling man-child he was. From reminding us how unsexy it is to be available all the time to your crush, to feeling all fluttery when he and Lily digitally hold hands (sharing ear-buds while listening to French music), Kuah’s intimate touches make the show a winsome experience. How to be yourself and to be interesting at the same time is the conundrum a young Kuah has to figure out. There’s a particularly lovely ending in this story about chance encounters, which may or may not involve the fairy lights of the title.
★★★★
Kuah Jenhan – Electric Butterflies
Mantra on Russell, Melbourne
Until 22 April
As part of Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Also performing at Sydney Comedy Festival from 2-6 May. See www.sydneycomedyfest.com.au for details.
