One of the many self-revealing stories James Roque tells in Boy Mestizo involves his strategy for counterpointing his partner Esther’s rigorous honesty in reviewing the Airbnb places they’ve stayed in. It’s hilarious. I only wish I could be bluntly critical about what his show leaves to be desired so my partner Liz could counterpoint it with kindness. The problem is we agree Roque’s show is faultless (and only on twice, and sold out in Wellington before he takes it north then on to a screen production).*

Kiwi-Filipino James is friendly, charming and disarmingly honest as he unpacks the ‘being brown’ baggage he thought he’d saddled himself with growing up in NZ, only to find there’s a case to answer in the Philippines, on his return after 20 years away.  

Of course there were “little things” that were said and done here, to make him feel ‘other’, not least when he worked as a children’s party entertainer. Catching up with his many Filipino relatives (his dad had 12 siblings) didn’t give him a feeling of belonging either. As for the assumptions they made because there are YouTube clips of his TV appearances in NZ … Let’s just say riding that ‘fame-wave’ can get you into trouble, as we learn from the twists and turns in his Karaoke Premium big night out story.

Indeed there are many things to learn and relearn as we laugh with empathy and in recognition of ourselves – which applies to the Filipinos in the audience as well as the Kiwis, albeit from different perspectives. For example, James’ Grandma’s putting in her order for great grandchildren is basically a universal trope, although this request would prove to mean more than he realised at the time.

The term ‘mamsir’ is amusingly explained. But it’s the word ‘mestizo’, which means mixed race, that takes us to the heart of James’ deftly structured show. The video clips of TV commercials that extol the virtues of lighter skin, and the astonishing results of the social experiment he conducted with French-Canadian Esther and without her, are heart-breaking.

When I was at school we were taught Ferdinand Magellan was a great explorer (as were Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, James Cook, et al). Now we know they were the advanced guards of colonial forces whose arrogant treatment of non-European cultures continue to resonate centuries later. But I hadn’t known, until seeing this show, that Magellan’s agenda was to impose Christianity on the Philippines, and that he met his end by trying to convert one group by force.

James cleverly frames the true purpose of his show in a song-and-dance sequence entitled ‘Confessions’, reframing his Grandma’s request for babies, enlightening us about Mactan leader Lapulapu’s confrontation with Magellan, and telling the tale of how he finally proved to himself that he was a “real Filipino” – with unforeseen consequences. Only a performer who has totally won-over his audience can get away with telling that story in such graphic detail.

A lively karaoke celebration of The Battle of Mactan, intercut with visual reminders of the stories we’ve been treated to, brings James Roque’s Boy Mestizo The Return to a rousing conclusion and his audience to their feet in heartfelt appreciation.

Stand-up comedy comes to us in many different ways and I especially welcome one like this, that has its crucial socio-political message personalised in a highly entertaining way.
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*Go to James Roque’s website and scroll down see the itinerary – then scroll on for details of his Boosted campaign to fund a screen version as a contribution to “an urgent conversation about the traumatic effects of colonisation.”

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