Toronto is known for many things, and its comedic landscape is no exception.
Whether you’re laughing at the expense of your own city thanks to local talent or getting a glimpse of what life is like for those outside the country, there’s always something to joke about.
This month, the city welcomed a handful of comedians courtesy of Just For Laughs, which welcomed its 11th edition in Toronto running from Sept. 21-30.
The renowned comedy festival saw big names touchdown in the 6ix including Ronny Chieng, Leslie Jones and Marlon Wayans, who is set to take the stage on Saturday.
But when all is said and done, and the festival packs up until next time, the city is fortunate enough to still have beloved comedians within arms reach if we ever need a pick-me-up.
And with Canada being such a diverse country, it’s also extremely important to see that representation in the comedic landscape as a whole. Afterall, humour hits differently when it comes from someone who either looks like you or has gone through life in a similar way.
Now Toronto had the chance to catch up with some local and beloved comedians from across Canada to hear their take on diversity in their line of work.
HASSAN PHILLS
One Toronto comedian who is no stranger to life on the road and leaving behind a trail of laughter everywhere he goes is Hassan Phills.
Phills’ humour is in part thanks to his upbringing in both a Jamaican and Djiboutian household.
As a Black comedian he says he’s very intentional with how he chooses his shows and the environments he surrounds himself with.
“It’s better to go where you’re celebrating than where you’re tolerated,” he told Now Toronto before hitting the stage for a show in Toronto on Wednesday.
“The job of a comic is to make strangers laugh and be funny but representation is in the eye of the beholder.”
Phills believes that even if there’s a gap between how many Black comedians there are in standup versus how many actually find success, it doesn’t deter him from wanting to secure his place in comedy.
And when it comes to putting himself out there, he says he isn’t afraid to be authentic and deliver whatever jokes he wants, especially if it’s about his personal experiences.
“My allegiance is with the truth and what’s funny to me. Standup comedy is really intimate, you’re sharing what’s going on in your head and what’s in your heart,” he said.
Phills took part in three shows under the JFL umbrella and is currently in the middle of his comedy tour That’s Crazy.
RASHA ELFEKY
Ever since Rasha Elfeky randomly stumbled on an open mic night she’s quickly become a fan favourite in the city and well received by her peers.
She told Now Toronto that for a long time she stuck out like a sore thumb among men in the comedy scene. That was until this year when she noticed more women entering the field.
“Last month we had the first-ever all women showcase and it’s crazy to say this was the first time because it shows how little representation we have,” she said.
Luckily for her, she grew up playing sports and spent a lot of time around men which has helped her navigate the space a little better without feeling too intimidated or unwelcomed.
“My whole life I’ve felt like the only girl in the room doing something that might be considered manly so I don’t get nervous or uncomfortable anymore,” she said.
Elfeky shared that while growing up there was a lack of both women and Muslim comedians to look up to, aside from American comedian Zainab Johnson.
“I think why a lot of people might find my comedy funny or relatable is because they’ve never heard it before. And if you have even a small interest in doing comedy, just do it. I know it sounds like a Nike slogan but hop on that stage and do an open mic,” she continued.
MARWAN MOUNEIMNE
“Racial representation is very important in not only comedy but in the arts as a whole. It gives hope for artists like me,” Toronto comedian Marwan Mouneimne told Now Toronto.
Mouneimne recently released his debut comedy special “Yalla America” where he hilariously taps into his unique experience moving from Lebanon to America. Today, he hosts a monthly comedy show titled “Yalla Comedy” in Toronto.
“I believe the industry is slowly starting to realize the opportunity to include more races, and how talented so many different people are, but Canada still is falling short and behind from a big market opportunity.”
HOODO HERSI
Comedy pro Hoodo Hersi believes racial representation is vital in her line of work.
“It’s incredibly important only because this is our livelihood and this is asking for the bare minimum. It’s asking for people like us to not be erased,” she told Now Toronto in an email statement.
Hersi goes on to say that she would like to see more people who look like her get up on the stage from time to time, telling jokes and sharing their experiences.
“I always remind myself that if something terrible happens I can always write a joke, have an emotional outlet, laugh and make money off of it. In white people terms, I’m pulling a racial Taylor Swift,” she joked.
You can keep up to date with Hersi’s shows by visiting her website here.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Now Toronto also asked comedians outside of Toronto about the importance of representation in comedy and what their take on it is.
GRAHAM KAY
When asked about the importance of representation in the comedic landscape, Ottawa comic Graham Kay shared that he doesn’t think comedy has an “inherent responsibility to do anything other than make people laugh.”
However, he does believe that it’s a “powerful tool of communication that can be used to help an audience understand what it’s like to be someone else.”
That’s why Kay brought his new one-man show to Toronto titled Pete and Me: A Non-Depressing Look at Autism and Family’ In Pete and Me, produced by Amy Hawthorne.
The comedian, who was once featured on The Tonight Show and The Late Show, uses humour to talk about growing up with his autistic brother.
“Some people with Autism don’t need any advocating done on their behalf and others do. However, the show is about my personal experience and not my brother’s. I had to help take care of him as a child and I will have to take care of him when my parents die,” he shared.
“One of the results of the show is that you get to know my brother. I get to show that I’m proud of who he is and show that just because he doesn’t know how to count, it doesn’t make him less valuable as a person.”
ADORA NWOFOR
Comedian, author and activist Adora Nwofor’s comedy journey has been far from smooth sailing in their hometown of Calgary. Despite having many supporters and being in comedy for over a decade, Nwofor says the comedy space has been far from welcoming as she finds she is the only Black entertainer in the space.
The mom of two splits her time as an entertainer and advocating for 2SLGBTQ+ rights as well as being the president of the Black Lives Matter movement in the city.
“It’s hard for me to get venues. Places don’t want to book me,” they told Now Toronto in an interview.
“A few Black women got run out. I’ve been called a name that isn’t my own for three years,” they continued.
Back in 2021, Nwofor spoke to CTV News about the need for more Black women in comedy.
According to Nwofor, some comics have outright used the N-word in their skits and she believes more representation in the comedy space would be life-changing and allow her to flourish more.
