INTERVIEW| Observing the observers: Elena Gabrielle

In the last century, comedy has evolved leaps and bounds, with comics of different races, backgrounds, and genders crafting unique jokes in an array of styles — all to make people laugh. Comedy today has no geographical barriers; Indian comics travel overseas to make Americans, Irishpeople, or Egyptians laugh.

Similarly, an Australian-born, Europe-based comic like Elena Gabrielle turned a bunch of Hyderabadis into humour hostages as she presented her comedy show OK!? at The Comedy Theatre. The comedian, whose embarrassing date stories cut through cultural divides and are enjoyed globally, opened up to CE about her comedy, performance in Hyderabad, challenges, and more.

Excerpts

How was your experience performing in Hyderabad?

It was wonderful! The Comedy Theatre was full and everyone had a great time. I was in Hyderabad six years ago — the food was amazing, especially the mutton biryani. Biryani was for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Because I grew up in Melbourne, which is a melting pot of sorts, and there I was exposed to different cuisines like Indian, Thai, Chinese, and more.

Did you grow up wanting to be a comedian?

Secretly, yes. I grew up listening to a lot of comedy albums by Robin Williams, Jerry Seinfeld, and other great comedians. In university, I studied acting and was part of many musical theatre shows.

From 2012-2017, I took part in the annual Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the largest performance arts festival in the world. In 2015, I co-wrote and performed in ‘The Shuffle Show’, an epic musical adventure of 1,000 songs in one hour, which sold out shows at the festival. But the universe had other plans; I met many comedians at the festival and fell in love with comedy. Once I started, I got absolutely addicted and never looked back.

But I’ve never had any backup plan or anything — I know people always do but I said hey, let’s see what the universe provides.

How would you define your comedic style?

I’d say it is witty storytelling from the female perspective. In the world of comedy, women still make up probably less than 10% of comedians; there is this trope that ‘Women aren’t funny’. So, one of the things I really love about India is how there are so many amazing female comics.

What are your thoughts on the comedy scene in India?

I will say that the comedians here have a really beautiful bond, something I haven’t seen in other places; in London and New York, there is so much competition. I just kept coming back to India, made more friends, and wrote relatable jokes…even about my Indian boyfriend. (laughs) I feel very comfortable here.

Have there been any challenges doing comedy in India as a foreign national?

I’m based in Europe, so many jokes I write are about living in Europe, how things are there, and so on. So, when I came to do comedy in India, I initially struggled because such topics can alienate an audience. Besides, my accent is sometimes difficult for people to understand. But as a comedian, you are constantly observing and so, I’ve learned to make my jokes more relatable to people here. I thoroughly enjoy being a touring comic and constantly writing jokes.

I’ve performed in many countries — there are things you can say and cannot say. In Hong Kong, for instance, you don’t speak about China. In India and Sri Lanka, you don’t bring up religion. In fact, when I was at university in Australia 10 years ago, I did political satire and got death threats. So, I’ve learned a lot as a comedian.

What do you think the aim of comedy should be?

If you go back to the American comedy scene in the ’60s or ’70s, punchlines were most popular. There was a setup and there was a joke. Although that style is quite dated, I’ve heard that some of the older comedians still retain it in their sets. But comedy has evolved, particularly after Covid. Now, audiences want a connection with the comedian on stage, which is why it is so important to build a social media following, have a podcast, and so on. Ultimately, my goal is to make people forget their worries, laugh and have a good time.

— Story by Nitika Krishna