On the afternoon of Sunday 6 March The Feast held our first stand-up comedy event, called “Faithful and Funny”, for Christian and Muslim young people. Held at Al Faisals restaurant in Sparkbook, 26 young people and a couple of parents came to hear professional comedians Shazia Mirz, Tony Vino and Barbara Nice.
Nationally acclaimed Asian and Muslim comic Shazia said afterwards “This was a great idea. It was funnier than I expected. I though it would be boring, you know what it is like with religion. But it was quite a laugh and the best bit was the cake was fantastic.”
Popular Christian comedian Tony said “I think there is that sense of where comedy can be a good vehicle or art form to look at religion in a different light. I really enjoyed today. There is that sense of coming together, like a declaration of hope, that if we can laugh together we can live together.”
One of our students who came, Bushra, said “I found the event very funny and I think we learnt a few new things like they taught us when it is appropriate to be funny and when it was not.”
While Lizzie said “I found it really fun. I didn’t think it would go in a funny way without being really racist but it didn’t so was good.”
Local Christian youth leader Ellen shared that it was “Really fun and really interesting. Good to think about different faiths and spend time together. I’d never thought about comedy and religion before this event and so I think it was breaking new ground and really good!”
The event was put on with the help of Helen Tomblin, the Bishop’s Adviser for Youth Ministry in Birmingham Diocese and the founder of The Laughing Sole Comedy Club, who said “This is one of the most exciting projects I have been involved in.”
“I have not come across anything like this before and think it has huge potential not only as it was very funny, but was also very thought-provoking. It will continue The Feast’s great work in breaking down barriers between young people of different faith groups. I wholeheartedly support this project.”
A followup comedy event is now being planned, where 5 Christian and 5 Muslim young people will be able to attend workshops in the April school holiday to learn how to write and present their own standup comedy routines. This will be followed by their own night on the stage – should be brilliant!
The Feast would like to thank the Westhill Endowment Fund for their very kind support that has made these comedy events possible.
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