Hussain opens with a disclaimer that, in this show, he will be bracing topics that he is uncomfortable talking about. Yet, if you placed a cheeky wager on Hussain in the Membrane somehow exploring Reclaim Australia, muslims in Bendigo and even the slogan ‘Love it or Leave it’, you’d be doing well for yourself. Overall, Hussain covers the sorts of things you’d expect, with varying results. You might find yourself craving for fresh and interesting angles, particularly when Hussain dips into the old dusty archive of racial stereotypes – for example, the idea that Asians are bad drivers. He very rarely stoops to that level – which, for the sake of creativity, is just as well.
Of course, Hussain’s interest in issues of race and racism is well-known. “What’s the deal with white people?!” he jokes midway through the show, as he impersonates a possum, impersonating his own race-based brand. It is curious, though, how this passion manifests on-stage. Hussain has a habit of building to a place of rage that comes off as strangely disingenuous. Again, we know that he is invested in his material, so that is not really up for debate. The best way to describe it, is that it occasionally feels like Hussain is trying to project a very specific stand-up schtick. Think of it this way: you truly believe Jack Dee is a dour, seething sort of British gent, just as you believe Joel Creasey is every bit as sassy as he conveys. With Nazeem Hussain, it feels as though the act is there in full view.
Expect Hussain to engage the audience directly, but don’t expect it to result in comedy gold. While he seems keen to develop a rapport with his fans, he doesn’t always seem to know what to do with the connection once it is established. These moments serve as needless interruptions, Hussain pointlessly side-tracked from his material.
Ultimately, Hussain in the Membrane is a moderately funny, moderately challenging and moderately insightful show. It seems unlikely that it will rate as one of the must-see, side-splitting shows of the festival, but it’s perfectly fine, Hussain effectively building his brand. If you know and like his stuff, Hussain in the Membrane is a safe enough bet.
BY NICK MASON
