The Israeli making fun instead of seder
Mai Weisz, who makes her stand-up debut on the comedy circuit this Wednesday
Life has been full of surprises for Israeli-born stand-up comedian Mai Weisz, who makes her stand-up debut on the comedy circuit this Wednesday. Mai had this year’s Passover all planned, with a trip home to spend seder night with her family in Israel. But when her flight home was cancelled, Mai was not sure what she would do. Then fate stepped in.
“I’d been booked to do a comedy gig later in the month and they contacted me to say they had to change the date, and would I mind doing it earlier in April. Then there was bit of mix up and it turned out that the new date was on the first seder night.
“I should have been home with my family but, as I had no seder to go to, said I would still do the gig.”
Mai moved to the UK from Israel 11 years ago to study drama at Central School of Speech and Drama. It was when she went on to further study, this time at SOAS The School for Oriental and African Studies, that she first encountered antisemitism.
“People had warned me that I would experience problems because I was an Israeli, but I was not prepared for it. I had never before been subjected to antisemitism and anti-Israel rhetoric. For the first time I realised I was with people obsessed with conflict. There was so much micro aggression. When people found out I was an Israeli it changed everything. At first, I was hurt by their attitude. I found myself in a very dark place. I had lost the will to live.
“Then I realised it was ridiculous and I was not going to be beaten. My survival instinct kicked in and it has made me stronger.”
When Mai went to a stand-up comedy show she decided that rather than continue to act (Mai played Sara at the Royal Court’s Olivier-Awards Nominee Two Palestinians Go Dogging), she would become a standup and talk about her experiences as an Israeli.
“I realised that comedy could break borders and tap into topics that are not usually discussed. I talk about my experiences and many topics including relationships and sexuality.”
As well as the stand-up comedy, Mai has developed an alter ego, a new persona, a Marie-Antoinette type figure, Madam de Booty, to counter the aggression she has been subjected to.
“Madame de Booty is a happy, smiley, character people engage with as she rides round London on a lime bike,” she said. “The costume acts as a shield of immunity.
“When life gives you lemons you really do have to make limoncello. And I have been touched how warmly I have been welcomed by the comedians and the other people at Club 81. I may not have a Seder to attend this year, but this is the next best thing.”
Club 81 is on 1 April at Camden Collective. Contact @stage81.ingo for details.
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