Stand-up comedy is for kids, too

MANILA, Philippines — Stand-up comedy will expand to a brand-new untapped market as Prime i Events, the country’s leading producer of this stage genre, brings in English performer Chris Henry to perform in a highly-interactive show for kids called Balloonatics at the Johnny B. Good (formerly Hard Rock Café) in Glorietta 3, Makati, tomorrow, April 7.

Henry’s act refutes the notion that stand-up comedy is strictly for adults. Balloonatics is a family affair that caters to kids in the four to 10-year-old bracket but it’s just as enjoyable for older children and parents. Only 60 slots are available for kids so Prime i Events mover Saira Budhrani says call for tickets now. There will be snacks and activities for kids with attractions such as face-painting, hair salon, glitter tattoos and henna art. Tickets are priced at P1,500 each for kids and P1,000 for parents or guardians over 18. Doors open at 3 p.m. for the show.

   “We’re always on the lookout for new and interesting ideas and concepts to bring over,” says Saira. “This allows kids to enjoy their time, appreciate and experience entertainment that is unique to them.” She notes that comedian Eleanor Conway, who performed in Prime i Events’ Walk of Shame here last January, came up with the idea of staging Balloonatics for the Filipino audience.

“Eleanor just raved about Chris and we liked what we saw and felt kids would have a lot of fun watching his show so we want to give it a shot,” adds Saira. The show is a different kind of fun bonding activity that parents will experience with their children.

Saira’s husband Dilip elaborates, “We are all so busy with various things in our daily lives… work is both challenging and stressful and time is never enough but we all need to give quality time to our family and keep them and ourselves away from gadgets.” 

Dilip says Balloonatics is the perfect antidote to relieve stress by enjoying quality time with the family.

“Laughing together with the entire family is surely the best way to spend summer vacation,” he says. “We think it’s a good idea to test this. The show is very interactive and we encourage parents to be with their kids in watching the show. We’re quite excited about doing family comedy as this elevates the standards for kids and hopefully, parents will bring their kids to more arts, cultural and other forms of entertainment as the youth is so glued and wired to all these gadgets. Promoting stand-up comedy is a hobby worth pursuing as we all need a good laugh in our hectic lives.”

Henry describes the act as “a fun, silly, family show with lots of charm and energy and a simple message that you don’t have to be good at something for it to be fun… you can expect lots of silliness and balloon buffoonery.”

Henry, whose comic idols include Robin Williams, Billy Connelly, Doug Stanhope and Bill Hicks, became a full-time comedian in 2009. “I love being on stage but I couldn’t sing or dance then didn’t have the patience to learn an instrument or practice magic so I survive on the silly thoughts in my head,” he laughs. “I was born and raised in Scotland. Glasgow is where I call home but I’m at my happiest when traveling the world. My life is the biggest source of inspiration for my work although Balloonatics was inspired by my brother’s kids as I wanted to write a comedy show that they could come along to.”

Henry has performed in Australia, the US, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Sweden, Scotland and England so he’s used to interacting with a wide variety of audiences. “It’s my first time in Manila,” he says. “My expectation of the Filipino audience? I just hope they’re as fun and silly as I am.”

For tickets and other inquiries, call 0920-9717055 and 0917-5703057. For details on Prime i Events shows and activities, follow the Facebook page at Prime i Events or on Instagram at @primeievents.