Kumar hearts heartlanders

WHEN Singapore's most famous comedian Kumar was asked by festival director Ong Keng Sen what he'd like to do for the arts festival, he said he wanted to perform for the ordinary HDB dwellers who never go to his shows at glitzy theatres and nightclubs.

Kumar got his wish and has been, since last weekend, cracking up uncles and aunties with his free gigs at HDB estates all over the island. He performs his last free show on Saturday night at Jurong East's Community Plaza - expect another huge turnout.

The caveat is that the jokes he makes for this series, titled Kumar's Living Together, aren't nearly as risqué as the ones in his usual routines. There are no sex jokes, few political quips and very mild variations of his usual racist barbs. The marvel of it is that the PG jokes actually work well with the heartland crowds. In fact, his more complex puns elude many, while his basic self-deprecating pokes about being ah gua (effeminate) get instant roars of delight.