Stand up Comedy and Bloody Italians

So, tonight I went to my first London stand up comedy show. And I must say, I really enjoyed myself. A bunch of performers made our (the audience's) night much lighter and enjoyable. A good laughter brings people together, no matter their nationalities. And that's what happened tonight at the Soho Comedy Show at the Round Table in Leicester Square.

The room was cosy and small. As the show kicked off it was not even packed, but by the end of the night it reached full capacity, which was roughly 30 people. The six Norwegians in the front row were the guest stars of the night. Each and every performer, starting from the compere, made fun of them. Then there was the guy from Venezuela,, who was "funny in his country" [where people can understand what he says, that is]. Then there were people from all parts of Britain, including Scotland, and even from Ireland. And then there was me, an Italian.

But, no sooner had the fifth act got the stage that to my bewilderment I found out he was Italian too. Well, born and raised in Italy from Indian parents and had moved to London five years ago. He had kept the little piece of info for himself all night, as I got acquainted with the comics and the host, Jools Constant. No wonder he spotted my Italian accent when I speak (which is not as strong as a regular Italian). No wonder he knew where Pordenone and Aviano are. No wonder he was interested when I said that I find it hard to be funny in a language that it's not your mothertongue.

So, you can be in the most diverse city in the world. You may be the only one who vaguely looks Italian. But you can bet that there will be another Italian in the room, even though there are just about 30 people. We bloody Italians! But hey, stand up comedy in London....thumbs up! Definitely worth it!