What’s so funny about Berninneit?

THE first real paid gig at the new Cowes cultural centre, Berninneit, comes up this Friday night, November 17.

It features the very funny Egyptian born, Australian stand-up comedian, actor, voice over artist and author, Akmal.

If you want to remind yourself how funny this guy is, check him out on YouTube at https://youtu.be/3FshNT_jV1Y

But be warned, he does take a telling potshot at an Australian regional location, Rockhampton, that resulted in him being featured on the front page of the local paper, The Morning Bulletin, after which he was the subject of hate campaign. Really.

“The best thing about being a comedian,” he says, “is that you get to go to a lot of places you don’t want to go to and I’ve been to a lot of shit holes…”

Hopefully, Phillip Island won’t be one of them!

The official PR for his ‘Not Dead Yet’ Australian tour says this (no kidding): “Akmal returns because he was not careful with his money when he was funny and popular. He’s still funny, however due to the avalanche of brown and black comedians, his popularity has waned a little. So, this year Akmal has finally succumbed to the thousands of requests to perform in the nude. Don’t miss this hilarious and highly erotic show.”

(We don’t think he’s going to perform in the nude but fellow comedian, Garry Starr, who performed at the launch of the program earlier this month certainly set that bar pretty low in that respect, so who knows!)

“Every night a lucky audience member will win Akmal’s underwear!” says Akmal.

“Touching is allowed but please be respectful. Private shows available behind the venue at extra cost.”

OK, so that’s probably got nothing to do with his actual show which is sure to feature the situational comedy that is a feature of his work, especially the abuse he has often received as a “new Australian” over the years.

The night at Berninneit, at 8pm this Friday, November 17, 2023 is sure to be hilarious.

Also coming up at Berninneit, this Saturday, November 18 is the Phillip Island Festival of Stories.

Tickets to Akmal are available at: https://www.akmal.com.au/#tour

Or via Try Booking at: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1108016