COMIC Q&A: Tri-lingual Sugar Sammy focuses on writing
Sugar Sammy is from the right place at the right time: Montreal, home of the famed Just for Laughs Festival – a great place to hone his act, which was originally based on his experience as an English-speaking Indo-Canadian going to a French school. What could go wrong? Nothing! Now he’s one of Canada’s only “tri-lingual” comics.
Here’s a little Q&A ahead of his show Friday, Oct. 4 at the Myer Horowitz Theatre:
Q: Do you have one of your old jokes you think is too politically incorrect to tell today?
A: It’s never about subject matter as much as it is about technique for me. I never look at my old material and think to myself: ‘I shouldn’t talk about that topic or take on that point of view anymore because people can’t handle it.’ I’m constantly looking over my past material to see how I can improve as a writer. I think you can talk about anything today as long as it’s well written.
Q: What’s your best heckler story?
A: I was doing a secret show in Montreal last summer and these two guys in the front row left five minutes into my set to fight outside. It led to some insane moments with the remainder of their group, who were just as dodgy. Look up “Sugar Sammy Fight” on YouTube.
Q: Is there such a thing as “too soon” or “too far” in comedy?
A: Writing without a filter is always going to produce the best, most original material. When someone is working within a pre-established framework, it’s never going to be as fresh as when it’s produced without edges. My best material in terms of crowd response is the one that crosses pre-set boundaries. Comedy is the one place where the audience will let you know very quickly if things are going well. I always decide what stays in the set, by crowd response. Not comments, but laughter. The most honest form of response is spontaneous and uncontrolled laughter.
Q: Is it important for a comic to be honest and reveal themselves in order to be good?
A: Yes and no. Honest material will always reunite and create attachments, but a silly joke in the middle of a serious set can be just as liberating.
Q: Do you have a new routine that’s going over well?
A: This current tour is my best work by far. I can feel when I’m getting better as a writer, and right now I’m at a much stronger level than I used to be, and I can’t wait for audiences to come see this show.
