Never attended a comedy show live and who better to listen to than Trevor Noah. So when the show was announced in Mumbai we jumped and we booked this one as early as we could.

This post is about what good performance feels like. And performance even the very act of writing is for an audience. But let's stick to stage performance for now.

Good Venue

Great performance starts with a great venue. The venue here was a well-known place in the city. That by itself lends a lot of credibility to the person's choice. Trevor if you have read the papers had to cancel his show in Bangalore. And he attributed it to the venue and the bad sound system. And the fact that everyone in Bangalore knew, and someone could have told him would have helped the situation. But he promised to be back.

Storytelling & being local!!!

He has never come to India so what is he going to speak to? Surprise!! all his stories were very local to help the audience connect. And you have to be a good storyteller to weave that magic.

Glimpse of a few stories he said that stuck.

His tour locations included Delhi, Bangaluru, and then Mumbai. Three very different cities. And being in Delhi means people expect that they are known. So by default, they should not need an introduction, and those in power are known. People were coming up to Trevor and saying you know me right. Even the one that had a button on his shirt the largest button manufacturer in the world expected him to be known!!

His story of going to the Bengaluru venue and reaching there late. In India everyone speaks in local language but laces enough English words for an outsider to understand. He landed at the gate and said he was the performer of the show and should be let in. The guards arguing were not letting him in but speaking in the local language that he could not understand. But then they defined him. How does Trevor Noah look they argued in Kannada and agreed he has to be like Sai Baba! . And this fella does not look like Sai Baba!!. Now that is true isn't his hair very close to that.

About Mumbai it is about spaces, crowds, and the festival of Ganpati. And when he heard Gan-pati he thought it was one big Gun party!. But he weaved that very well into his storyline a few times for some mighty laughs. And concluded as well with Ganpati.

What he did not do!!..

Never did he go negative or cuss words. Both are a stance he could take. He was asked if he would ever perform in Banguluru and hell yes he said. It's never of the people it was the venue. As for foul language other than saying something light he was straight on. So in an audience of such large being respectful is great. And does leave a great impression about him the person.

Listening & Engaging ...!!!

Though it was a stadium-sized auditorium he was listening and engaging as a comedian. Also interacted with a few folks on the front bench. People were encouraged to engage him back. A mark of a great performer he is listening not just saying everything he knows. And he was impromptu at times and that led to an authentic self. And that matters.

Time matters!!

And performance ended when it was of the right size and an hour and 15 minutes in we were done. Enough for everyone to soak in the experience and go back happy. Not too long not short and not too boring.

So overall ever get to see a performer live go attend, engage, and learn!