Video: How Trans Comedian ALOK Maintains Their Joy in Anti-Trans Times
They’re performing their newest comedy show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the biggest arts festival in the world, with over 3,700 shows. This year, Playbill is in town for the festival and we’re taking you with us. Follow along as we cover every single aspect of the Fringe, aka our real-life Brigadoon!
For comedian ALOK, comedy is an act of transformation, where they can take, “negativity and [transform] it into positivity.” For the trans performer, whose full name is Alok Vaid-Menon, that’s even more important now with the rise of anti-trans rhetoric.” Comedy has always been how I’ve survived,” they tell Playbill. They’re currently performing their newest comedy show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Above, see ALOK’s interview with Playbill’s Jeffrey VizcaÃno about their love for “transgressive crass humor,” their Indian upbringing, and how they see six to eight shows a day while performing at the Fringe.Â
Alok’s show is currently running at Underbelly Bristo Square through August 25. After, they will embark on an American tour. Learn more here. They are also a featured comedian in the Gender Agenda special on Netflix.
