The lighthearted and reassuring pick-me-up many of us need in this current societal climate
Presented by: OzAsia Festival and the Adelaide Festival Centre
Reviewed: 7 November, 2024
Beloved Australian-Vietnamese comedian, artist and author, Anh Do, creatively brings his award-winning book The Happiest Refugee to the stage in a one-man performance that is a moving reminder of the plight of refugees, and the delight and gratitude that can be found in life.
It is said that happiness is contagious, and Anh’s genuine joy for life really does brighten the theatre as he performs a blend of stand up comedy and life storytelling – The Happiest Refugee Live! is the uplift we all need right now.
Anh begins his storytelling with his family’s circumstances in Vietnam, as his life as a young child in the war torn country shaped much of his and his family’s future. Despite small light-hearted jokes here and there, Anh still holds a powerful and mesmerising solemness to these harrowing stories of their literal survival of war, admirably not afraid to show his audience the hardships of refugees.
From here, the show gently weaves in and out of more light-hearted and humorous stories, taking the form of a more conventional stand-up comedy routine. These include good-hearted jokes at the expense of his own petite size, memories of trying to escape the rent-hunting landlords, and reminiscing about performing at RSL clubs to cranky and somewhat racist Australian war veterans. Anh, though, still continues to intertwine more serious life memories throughout, a reminder that paths to happiness are not easy and pain-free.
Family plays a major role within Anh’s storytelling, welcoming the audience into humorous and warm-hearted memories of crowded homes filled with multiple generations, alongside sadder elements such as living with a PTSD-stricken and absent father, and a mother working herself to the bone to provide for her family whilst living in poverty. Anh’s emphasis on his cultural and personal importance of family is a beautiful reminder to love who we have while we can, which is something easily forgotten in the hustle and bustle of today’s time-poor society.
These powerful messages about family are emphasised through the use of historic and current family photos projected behind Anh on a large screen – it’s as though he’s personally whipped out his phone while in an intimate conversation with you and is proudly showing off his three sons or a past photo of his mother in one their first Australian homes. This is a lovely personal touch that draws the audience further into the life of Anh Do.
He also utilises the screen throughout the show to display clips of his silly comedic TV bits, which see him become a giant life-size bowling ball, being taken sky-high in a tiny plane with a full stomach, and acting as a bubble-wrapped tackle prop for giant professional rugby players – all of which have the audience cracking up in laughter. He also wholesomely ends the show with some moving moments from his hit ABC TV show Anh’s Brush With Fame.
Anh’s enlightening stories of resilience, love for his family, kindheartedness, and what can only be described as a very happy fairytale ending are exactly the lighthearted and reassuring pick-me-up many of us need in this current societal climate.
Reviewed by Georgina Smerd
Venue: Festival Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre
Season: ended
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