Comedy Show/s at ZIRKOH Review
3 Comedy Shows in one night
Ironically, though I live in the Philippines, I got to know of this club only through my sister who lives in Chicago. She is aware of this comedy club as it is owned by popular Filipino TV personalities, whose shows are being aired abroad (thanks to the GMA Network!). Apparently, they would promote the place (and their gigs) as they appear on the TV show.
"ZIRKOH" is a slang word for "Circus". There are referrals to the meaning of the word as can be seen in the decor of the place. However, this is not the PT Barnum-type of circus, but more of a Cirque-de-Soleil one. Instead of clowns with loose trousers, suspenders and big red noses, hanging from the ceiling and along the walls are trapeze acrobats decked in shiny checked tights with big red circles on their cheeks. I don't really know if this is how all the other branches are decorated. The club has several branches all over Manila, see, but the one where we went to -- in Quezon Avenue, Quezon City -- is the first of the chain, and the biggest: in terms of size, capacity and stature of the stand-up comedians who perform.
There are usually 3 shows during the night. When we arrived at about 10:30, the first one was well on its way. This particular show had 6 or so comedian/singers on stage, singing to the crowd KTV-bar like. (They sing while reading the words from a big projector screen.) As they do, the crowd sings along, too. In between songs, they have running gags; or they interview people and (more often than not) make fun of them. Most importantly (and this, I believe, is the selling point of the show, especially among Filipinos), the entertainers call on anyone from the audience who would like to sing with them, up on the stage! During that particular show, about 5 people came up to sing. And they were really GOOD!! :-)
At about midnight, another show started. This time, there was only one entertainer (a singer/comedian, too), but she was backed up by a full band (not just by a DJ, as the previous show). She sang without the aid of a projector screen, and her jokes were more humorous than the ones from the first show (they're the kind that isn't memorized). But the format is similar -- the entertainer sings, she makes fun of some audience members, some courageous patrons sing with her.. However, of the 3 shows, hers is the one I truly enjoyed. (Way to go, Tuesday Vargas!)
The last show started at 2 in the morning, and it was fronted by 2 popular TV comedians. (These are the ones who also appear on the TV shows.) Their gags were funny, their songs were creative, but the format didn't differ from the other 2 shows. They did interact more with the audience, though. All throughout their 1.5 hour gig, they sang about 4 songs, there were 3 audience members who participated on stage, and the rest consisted of interviewing people from the audience and cajoling them to give "tips". The hosts would ask who among the audience members are "balikbayans" (Tagalog for "visiting Filipinos from abroad), and then they'd proceed to say or do things to part the "balikbayan" with a few hundred pesos.
Now this is becoming a very long expository blog, when I should just be telling readers how I liked the experience. So here's my assessment:
I like the fact that there were multiple shows in one night. I enjoyed most of the jokes and the gags. I like Tuesday Vargas' humor and her delivery. And I was totally impressed with the singing talent of the "common" Filipino. What irritated me was the fact that when a song request is made by an audience member, that request has to be accompanied by a tip... and it seems that it has to be a big one. Sure, the entertainers on stage say that it's completely optional, but then they kid the requestor no end until he has to oblige to stop the ribbing. It was particularly worse during the 3rd show, as it seemed that just being a "balikbayan" requires that you dole out the extra cash. :-( It can get tiring...
Overall, I'm pleased that I got to experience the comedy shows of this particular club. For the novelty, I will recommend it to people. Just make sure not to take things (or jokes) personally... Also, as much as the club allows kids in, don't take them with you.
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