Standup and immigration lawyer Sikisa: ‘I’m the hardest working act on the circuit’ | Stage

How did you get into comedy and cabaret?
I applied to function driving the bar at the Cavendish Arms in Stockwell, south-west London, which runs dwell demonstrates. I still technically perform there. Most people have walked through people doorways at some stage in their comedy vocation. My manager said to me: “You’re somewhat humorous, why do not you give it a go?” So I did. I met a large amount of folks who ended up carrying out cabaret far too and, for the reason that I made use of to be a dancer, I made the decision to incorporate cabaret into what I do.

Can you recall a gig so poor it’s now amusing?
I did a gig in a basement someplace and died on my arse. There were being fairly a good deal of alternative acts on. One was dressed in a priest outfit and all over his set he was rocking back again and forth. I was pondering, why is he performing that? Then his trousers dropped down and his penis whipped out. No one would like to see that.

What is the very best heckle you’ve read?
I used to convey to a joke about my title, mainly because definitely no just one has my identify. I’ve been told all over my daily life that my title signifies a number of items. One particular of my jokes is that I was told that my identify usually means “faithful”, and I chat about faith later on. A person in the viewers shouted out: “Your identify usually means pussy in my language!” I have no plan what I’m likely to do with this info.

Who evokes you?
I grew up watching aged university sitcoms like Past of the Summer months Wine, and sketch sequence like The Rapid Display. I didn’t actually look at standup till Def Jam Comedy – and I watched it 10 yrs after it came out in any case. Comedians like Kevin Hart and Katt Williams ended up my favourites when I was 18. But currently, folks who I gig with on the circuit are those who encourage me: Micky Overman, Helen Bauer, Kemah Bob and Josh Jones are amazing. Alison Spittle is a excellent storyteller. All those are the folks I aspire to be as good as.

As perfectly as a standup, you are also an immigration lawyer
In my debut display, I did a full chunk about performing in immigration. But I never truly go into it as a lot any much more. I just cannot communicate about scenarios. When I begun taking comedy very seriously, I entered the BBC new comedy awards with the name that I was using at the time, which was Twix. Most of my comedian friends nonetheless connect with me Twix. I realised I couldn’t go on the BBC and be called Twix, so I adjusted to my authentic name. Then I obtained into a panic. Are individuals likely to Google me and locate out that I’m a law firm, and then I won’t be ready to do my working day career? I’m seeking not to merge the worlds. I’m a different person on phase than I am in my day job.

Is balancing several careers something you’ve constantly accomplished?
I appear from a doing the job-course qualifications, I never have revenue, I’ve labored in authorized assist for the final 12 yrs and the career I do is primarily to aid persons who are truly in want to be in this place. If you inquire any comic, they’ll convey to you I’m the hardest doing the job act on the circuit since I have no revenue. And which is mainly because of how my existence has been. The cause I get the job done so challenging and nevertheless stability various work opportunities is because of funds – and it is not funny, it is just a reality.

Individuals hear lawyer and they believe corporate regulation. But no, I operate in immigration and legal aid. I do my occupation for the reason that persons want enable. There are certain persons out there who will get people’s dollars and assure them the globe. For me, that’s not what my job is. My task is to check out to make folks realise, these are the immigration policies, this is the immigration program. I can do my greatest to get you indefinite depart to remain and I’m extremely good at my job.

Any bugbears from the environment of comedy?
Social media is a great marketing resource for comedy but it can be poisonous, particularly when you have world-wide-web trolls who are out there, hiding behind their keyboards. I never assume individuals comprehend how a great deal that can affect someone’s mental overall health. Specially when it is a little something you have put your energy and passion into.

You host Comedy Virgins, the weekly open mic night time in Stockwell exactly where you obtained your start out. Who are some of the new acts men and women ought to be searching out for?
There is rather a handful of who I consider will be the next era of comedians undertaking their debut several hours in the upcoming pair several years. Sarah Roberts, Shalaka Kurup, Jake O’Brien Murphy, Sharifa Butterfly and Carwyn Blayney are storming functions. And my incredibly excellent mate Hannah Byczkowski who also MCs at Comedy Virgins, and was in The Traitors. She’s been going for a few of decades and is extremely amusing.