Lubna Kerr is a comedian and a familiar face on the Scottish comedy scene whose humour draws from her Asian heritage, blending wit with a playful exploration of stereotypes.
In March 2018, Lubna premiered her debut show, 'The Asian Ellen DeGeneres', at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival. Showcasing her talent for character comedy, the performance featured characters laden with Asian stereotypes infused with a rich Scottish sense of humour. From the UK to occasional appearances across the pond in the States, Lubna's comedic journey has been one of breaking down and playing with cultural norms.
Beyond comedy, Lubna is a versatile actor, gracing both stage and screen with her presence. Notably, she starred in 'Still Game' at the Hydro in 2014 and has appeared in BBC1's 'Scot Squad' and 'Armchair Detectives'. Her big screen debut came with the feature film 'Moon Dogs’, followed by a role in the film 'Christmas in the Highlands’ in 2019. Recently, she made a guest appearance in BBC One's 'Two Doors Down'.
In addition to her creative endeavours, Lubna's literary prowess shines through with her published short story on 1960s Pakistani life in Glasgow, reflecting her deep connection to her heritage and the world around her.
Here, she talks about women in comedy, the stereotypes and challenges involved and what they bring to the table.
What inspired you to pursue a career in comedy?
Coming from a mixed-race background, I used to go to watch lots of Pakistani and Indian films at the cinema growing up. The only thing that kept me going through six hours of films with music was knowing there would be some comedy in it. Even from a young age, I could relate to the funny characters in the films, whether they were men or women. Another thing was that my father had an amazing sense of humour. He allowed us to say things to people, unlike today where we have to be careful about what we say. Back then, people knew what a joke was. My brother also had a wicked sense of humour, so I grew up with that.
Later on, as an adult, I watched comedians like Dave Allen and Billy Connolly and loved going to their shows. I believe laughter is the best medicine, and I love making people laugh. So, when my mom died in 2013, I needed something to distract me from the grieving process. I had become an actress by then, and I found it difficult to get parts as a female Asian actor. I needed something to stand out, so I decided to try comedy. I signed up for a comedy writing class during the Fringe festival, which turned out to be a gig. I was nervous, but I decided to give it a try, even fumbled, but I absolutely loved it. It was a pivotal moment for me.
What are some common misconceptions about women in comedy, and how do you challenge or subvert these stereotypes through your work?
The biggest misconception is that women aren't funny. You want a woman on the bill? Oh, my goodness! Maybe if you pay a hundred times. The second one is about Asian women not being funny, especially, when you're an older woman of colour. That glass ceiling you hear about in business? It's even higher in comedy. You have to prove yourself a hundred times over. But for an Asian woman, it's a thousand times and for older women, a million times harder, proving yourself to be funny and worrying about validation. I don't care what people think and I don't care if I look stupid. The most important thing is, am I enjoying it? I want to do what I enjoy. And the barrier, with most promoters being white, is that you don't fit their demographic. So, I'm all for flying the brown flag because I think it's really important to give people of colour a chance. I want to be a trailblazer for older brown women.
What unique strengths or perspectives do women bring to the comedy stage, and how does this contribute to the richness of comedic storytelling?
First of all, we're funnier. Women talk about their experiences, and they discuss real-life issues that are important in the world. They're not just doing it to make people laugh; they're doing it to educate people. As we make up 50% of the world's population, we bring a different angle into comedy, making people think and leave energised with a feeling of belonging. We're bringing so much more than just laughter. We're educating and empowering people, be it men or women or whatever you call yourself. We bring in so many positives, and I think that's what frightens some people. Women are trailblazers and so much more relatable. I mean men are relatable too but they don't have all the different experiences. I think as women, we experience more in life in everything.
How has the comedy landscape evolved for women and what advancements do you envision for women in comedy moving forward?
I do think things have progressed. I've been doing comedy for 11 years now, and at that time, there weren't that many women in the scene. But now, many more women are coming through the system. You know, they take comedy courses, they attend open mic nights, and there's a lot more diversity. The good thing is that most of them are young, but there are also a few older women trying their hand at it, and that's great. Additionally, more women are setting up open mic nights, which is a positive change. When I first started, there were no female promoters, no women-run open mic nights, and very few women on the scene. So, it has definitely improved, and that's really great.
