Aug 17, 2013
In my eyes Jonathan Atherton will always remain a great man because
he turned my beliefs around on the city of Singapore. I went there
once and never wanted to return because I thought it was soulless.
He invited me to perform there again and said if I didn't like it
he would pay me double.
When I returned he proceeded to show me a Singapore I never knew
existed. Late night clubs, fun parties, beer festivals and the most
delicious street food on the planet. Forever he will live on in my
heart as the man who turned me on to black pepper crab. A Singapore
specialty that is worth buying a plane ticket to go there
for.
Jonathan Atherton is one of the most interesting human beings I
have ever met in my life. Originally from Brisbane, Australia he
went on to smuggle gasoline from Zimbabwe to Uganda then sold
prostitutes in Kenya shoes from Great Britain all before becoming
the inspiration and guiding light of stand up comedy in
Singapore.
From inventing the comedy scene in Singapore he also is one of the
strongest comedy presences in South East Asia. This conversation
was recorded in Kuala Lumpur where he has just moved. In his
fabulous new house in a very cool part of the city we talk about
his past insane history.
What he created in Singapore comedy and his new life in Malaysia.
He is an encyclopedia of human triumph, personal disaster and the
redemption of speaking truth in stand up comedy to make the world a
better place.
He is a respected comedy figure in KL & Singapore and I have loved
and respected this man myself since I first stepped off the plane
and he lived up to his vow to show me why Singapore was such a
magnificent place on the earth.
His story is mind blowing. Amazing how he has packed so much life
and knowledge into such a brief tender age. He inspires the
majority of comedians in South East Asia to live up to their
highest ideals of themselves as comedy performers.
I respect this man greatly, no matter how wildly eccentric his
actions are. Comedians are the only people who I can forgive for
anything and Jonathan owns my heart like a brother on his own
course I gladly watch sail. I caught him now as he had just moved
from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur and I tapped his brain for the
greatest knowledge nuggets that would serve someone seeking a life
in stand up comedy.
Get it here!