It takes just one look at the booking site for tickets to Russel Peters’ upcoming Dubai shows to know he’s funny.
It says “Sold out”.
That’s not exactly stop-the-presses news: His last shows in Dubai, back in 2013 also sold out, and quickly, too. (This year’s two performances, on January 19 and 20, one sold out in a month, although there are plenty available on ticket resale sites).
The Canadian comic, son of Anglo-Indian immigrants, has made his fame and fortune playing on the hilarity that can ensue from culture clashes — a timely reminder that not all immigration stories have to be frightening or violent.
“It’s definitely part of what I do,” says Peters in an email interview with tabloid! from his hotel room in Phoenix, Arizona earlier this month. “But I talk a lot more about where I’m at in my life right now — my girlfriend, my daughter, being a middle aged guy.”
He’s been on his hugely lucrative Almost Famous World Tour for over two years now, with dates lined up for Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Singapore and the Philippines in the next couple of months. But if you’ve caught the show before — in the US, say, where he’s been selling out spots including LA’s Nokia Theatre — the Dubai shows won’t be exactly the same.
“It’s all new content since my last tour,” he says. “It’s always changing too. If you saw Almost Famous last year, this year’s shows are pretty different. My act is always evolving.”
How long does it take to prepare a tour?
It takes a good six months to put together a new set, and then it just keeps getting adjusted and refined with each show.
What is something that made you laugh today?
Nothing yet! It’s way too early in the morning for me.
Have you ever forgotten your lines onstage?
I’m lucky that I have a good memory, most comics do. I don’t write anything down. There have been times where I forget stuff — usually because I’m having a good time on stage and just going with the flow of the audience.
Where do you get inspiration for routines?
I talk about the world as I see it. The main thing is that I have to pay attention — which is kind of hard for me with my ADD.
You’ve been in the business for a while now. What has changed for you, both in the way you work, and in the way the industry perceives you?
I’ve been doing stand-up for 27 years now. Now I find it’s more important for me to enjoy what I’m doing onstage and to be in the moment, rather than just focusing on the next joke. I’m on my fourth arena tour, which is more arena tours than most comics get to do in a lifetime. I’ve been very lucky. Hard for me to say how the industry perceives me. I’m just out here doing my thing, and I love doing it.
What are you working on in terms of film and TV?
I have a couple of shows in development right now and a feature coming out this year called Ripped with my buddy Faizon Love. I also have a small part in Jungle Book, directed by my good friend Jon Favreau [Peters had a brief but hilarious part on Favreau’s film Chef, as a Miami police officer].
If Netflix was to give you your own show tomorrow, what would it be? A sitcom or a stand up show or something else?
It’s not so much about someone ‘giving me’ a show, it’s about creating something that I want to do and that’s been tough to figure out. I’m working on a sitcom and another limited series, I’ve also got my new special coming out this year — which I’ll be recording in April.
What would you like to achieve in the next five years?
I’d like to take some time off, but every time I try to take time off something comes up and the time off disappears. The flip side of that is that when I do get an extended stretch of time off, even a few weeks, I start to get restless and want to get back on stage.
What do you enjoy for entertainment? Other comedy?
As boring as it sounds, I love watching documentaries. I load up my iPad with new documentaries before a trip and make sure I watch all of them while I’m on the road.
Any pregame rituals at your shows?
I hang out with my security guys and my brother. Have something to eat. Listen to Spinbad who’s already onstage. Just before I step onstage, I have a quick conversation with my dad in my head and then it’s show time.
*Tickets for Russel Peters two shows in Dubai, on January 19 and 20 at Dubai World Trade Centre, are sold out.
