Nazeem Hussain: I’d Like to Tell You about Some Jokes
Max Watts, until April 19

(as published in The Age, April 2026)

Nazeem Hussain wears his political heart on his sleeve. He comes out swinging and ready to rumble, pummelling Pauline Hanson, racists, colonisers. Scorching observations spill from the accomplished stand-up who knows exactly what he’s doing – prodding and polarising as he goes. He seems to relish the shock and awe when jokes strike. At one point, he springs a speculative summation of why Trump bombed Iran.

While it’s unclear if Hussain is kidding when he admits to attending anti-immigration rallies looking for material, there’s plenty to laugh at as he tests the crowd’s boundaries.

A “comedy is a risky game” quip follows a raft of race-based digs and a mild rebuke of Collingwood fans. Even Bluey cops a bit of flack as Hussain grips the room via astute, often amusing, scrutiny.
★★★★
Reviewed by Donna Demaio