Tyler Redway
MOUNT Gambier will be hosting a variety of comedians shedding light on multicultural perspectives in the Multicultural Comedy Gala this week.
Comedian Ivan Aristeguieta, who has been sharing his perspective as an immigrant from Venezuela, said it was the first time he had been invited to perform alongside a lineup of international acts while living in Australia.
“We all have a different take on Australia and I love to see that even though we all have similar experiences, our takes are very different,” Mr Aristeguieta said.
“When you’re an immigrant, it’s such a life-changing experience because it’s so easy to talk about as it’s an ongoing adaptation of what it’s like to live in another country with a different language and culture.”
Mr Aristeguieta, who has lived in Australia for 11 years, added his time living in a different part of the world had changed his perspective on the country and his joke routine.
“I already do a ‘fish-out-of-water’ angle of my experience here, so the things which have changed in my routine are the first impressions of Australia to now living in this country for more than ten years,” he said.
“The life of an immigrant is a long-term thing to adapt to another culture but there is also unlimited material for a comedian.
“When you already have a different point of view to everyone else then you have to use it as a comedian.”
He added it would be his first large-scale show in Mount Gambier but mentioned he had already paid a visit to the region in previous smaller performances.
“I love South Australia and being in the area between South Australia and Victoria,” he said.
“When you go to a small town, the audiences are so beautiful and grateful because they say thanks for coming here and usually the laughter is a lot louder too.”
Mr Aristeguieta said the best part of touring regionally was the gratitude shown by local audiences, which he said he wanted to reflect back each time he performed.
“Sharing it with the locals is beautiful and as an immigrant, going through regional Australia is the best because I get to learn more about the country,” he said.
“They are two different Australia’s and I love to see the different perspectives as well as the things they both have in common.”
Other comedy acts who will be joining Mr Aristeguieta include Dilruk Jayasinha, Tahir, Ting Lim, Ben Lomas, Dora Smith and Jeff Green.
The Multicultural Comedy Gala will kick off on March 23 at 8pm in the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre.
