The stage lights illuminate Ashwyn Singh, a Canadian-Indian comedian, as he prepares for his second show in Berlin. With a unique blend of observational humor and personal anecdotes, Singh delves into the immigrant experience, a theme that resonates deeply with audiences across the globe. His ‘Wrong Singh to Say’ tour brings him back to the German capital, a city he’s still getting to know, but one that has already left a lasting impression.
Germans: Quiet but Laughing the Same
Singh’s initial encounters with Germans challenged his preconceived notions. He observed a difference in expression rather than emotion. “I found the Germans I met spoke a little bit less, but they laughed the same,” he shared. This observation highlights a cultural nuance often misunderstood, where reserved communication doesn’t equate to a lack of feeling. His first visit involved performing comedy in English to a predominantly German audience, an experience he describes as unique and insightful. He recalls spending time with Israeli comedian Shahak Shapira, exploring Berlin’s intimate ‘hole in the wall’ bars, a stark contrast to the bustling, often louder, venues he’s accustomed to.
Navigating Berlin: From Airport to Beds
His first arrival in Berlin was a comedic adventure in itself. The airport’s public transport ticketing system proved to be a puzzle, requiring an impromptu interaction with a local to decipher. “It kind of forces you to talk to people,” he recounts, highlighting the unexpected human connection forged through minor travel mishaps. Another memorable, and humorous, observation was the ‘skinny’ German beds, often two singles pushed together, which he playfully linked to a perceived individualistic culture. These small details paint a vivid picture of a traveler’s first impressions, often a source of material for his stand-up.
Exploring Berlin’s History and Culture
This time, Singh has a ‘short list’ of Berlin experiences he intends to tick off. Top of his list is the legendary nightclub Berghain, a place whose reputation precedes it. He also plans to delve into Berlin’s rich historical tapestry, visiting Cold War monuments such as Checkpoint Charlie, the Reichstag building, and the Berlin Wall Memorial. These visits are not just for sightseeing; they are an opportunity for Singh to connect with the city’s past and to ponder its present, especially in light of current global political climates.
Immigration: A Global Political Fight
As an immigrant himself, Singh often explores the complexities of immigration in his comedy. He views immigration as a function of a country’s economic needs, a pragmatic solution to internal resource gaps. “It’s people sitting down and going, ‘Our country needs something that we’re not able to supply from within, so we have to get it from outside somehow,'” he explains. He criticizes the tendency to blame individual immigrants rather than addressing systemic issues, drawing parallels to Canada’s immigration policies where a declining birth rate led to increased immigration, but without adequate educational resources. This, he argues, leads to a cycle of blame and misunderstanding. Singh’s comedy, therefore, is not just about laughter; it’s about challenging perceptions and fostering understanding on complex social issues.
