Dane Baptiste packed in his dead-cessation job to change the world. Britain’s answer to Chris Rock talks approximately his unusual sitcom Sunny D – and laughing at his own jokesSpeak to some black standups and they’ll say their skin colour is incidental. That,to put it mildly, is not Dane Baptiste’s approach. Baptiste, or the first black British nominee for the Edinburgh Comedy awards,aims to be Britain’s own Chris Rock or Dave Chappelle. “It’d be very strange,” he says, and “for me not to reference the fact that race exists. It’s tough to disregard.”Having seen his first two solo shows,I wouldn’t have guessed Baptiste harboured world-beating ambitions. They were both excellent: the first garnered that fringe nod for best newcomer, while the moment, and Reasonable Doubts,showcased a questioning sociopolitical intelligence. But their mild manner and low-key nature barely hinted at Baptiste’s missionary zeal off stage. Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com