The 51-year-old Texan Jeff Dunham is not really the star of his show. It is his painstakingly designed puppets that usually steal the limelight. Each puppet costs a small fortune to make – some are designed by the team who created the Jurassic Park dinosaurs – but it was a cheaper, ragged dummy that first got the young Dunham interested in ventriloquism.
“It was as simple as seeing a dummy in a toy store in the third grade and asking for it for Christmas,” he recalls. “After I got it, I also got record albums and library books, which I studied and taught myself ventriloquism. After my first show, I was hooked and, although it wasn’t as mainstream or promising as a career in sports or music, I became one of the lucky kids who found a passion very early in life.”
Getting respect
Despite his star power, millions of dollars earned from sold-out tours and numerous television comedy specials such as Spark of Insanity and Controlled Chaos, Dunham says ventriloquism remains frowned upon in the comedy industry, with many funnymen viewing it as an illegitimate art form.
“I’ve fought the scepticism from day one and never took it to heart,” he says. “There’s a disdain for ventriloquists – you’re lumped in with plate spinners, accordion players and mimes. It’s considered quite sad and dated. I’ve been at it forever. I’ve been on the road for more than 20 years, learning what makes people laugh.”
The Abu Dhabi show
Dunham’s latest world tour includes a wide range of his much-loved characters. There is Walter, the grumpy retiree, who calls it as he sees it. Also coming along for the ride is José Jalapeño on Stick, the sombrero-sporting “food” that is the first puppet Dunham made himself. Also on board is Melvin The Superhero Guy, who is very unlike his title.
What about Achmed The Dead Terrorist?
His most controversial character is also coming to Abu Dhabi. The skeletal dummy – meant to be the remains of a suicide bomber – will make an appearance and cause hilarity as well as consternation.
Achmed has already been the subject of criticism by some local comedy fans. The Dubai businessman Mishal Kanoo recently told The National that Achmed The Dead Terrorist is “insulting and defamatory. Now, some people may say this is humour and it’s all fine and we should accept it”. (The promoters at Flash Entertainment would not allow any questions to be asked of Jeff Dunham on Achmed The Dead Terrorist.)
• Jeff Dunham performs at du Forum on Thursday and Friday. Tickets cost from Dh295. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.ae
sasaeed@thenational.ae