Ever been asked “Where are you from?”

The subtext is clear: “You don’t look/sound like you belong here”.

But Canadian comedian and actor Aliya Kanani says it’s a good question to ask her, given that her background includes thirty countries, ten schools and six languages.

So she’s turned the query into a one-woman comedy show, Where You From, From?, that takes audiences around the world with stories about fitting in, sticking out and standing up.

Where You From, From? has played Fringe and comedy festivals around the world, including Fringe World in 2020.

Now Kanani is bringing Where You From, From? back to Perth as well as a new show All That She Wants.

As someone who’s been asked where she’s from plenty of times, Seesaw Mag’s Nina Levy was curious to find out more.

Nina Levy: For Seesaw Mag readers who don’t know you, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your work?

Aliya Kanani: I’m a multidisciplinary artist, based in Canada. I focus mainly on stand-up comedy, but I also act and write. My life as an artist started thanks to a Groupon! (True story, I talk more about it in my show).

I’ve done some things I feel very proud of in all the disciplines: I’ve toured internationally as a comedian, I was nominated for a Canadian academy award for Best Performance by a Lead Actress in a Best Motion Picture film and I got to write for a sketch comedy TV show.

Before the Groupon, I worked as a Flight Attendant for years. I grew so much from the experiences of working with people, travelling and immersing myself in other cultures. I’d spend my days joking around with passengers, not ‘cause I was trying to be a comedian, I just loved making people laugh. Now I am a touring comedian, combining my passion for comedy and travel, which I feel doubly lucky for!

NL: Tell us about the two shows you are presenting at Fringe World this year.

AK: I’m so excited for both my shows to Fringe World this year!

The first is my solo show, Where You From, From? I have been touring this show around the world and I am so happy to see how much folks connect to my story. It’s a real feel-good show that leaves the audience with a sense of togetherness. 

The second show I’m bringing is going to be a riot! I’ll be hosting the show, All That She Wants, featuring an all-female line-up of stand-up comedians sharing funny stories, life hacks and sexy secrets. What could be more fun?

NL: What do you hope audiences will take away from your shows?

AK: My contact with my audience is that they leave feeling good, after all that’s why people come to comedy shows. So first and foremost, my goal is always that people leave with more positive energy than when they came in.

Next is that perhaps they will take away a lesson. I think the most valuable thing we can offer is sharing our experiences and learning from each other. I feel my solo show has had that impact; I am able to talk about all things related to identity, and the comedy makes it easy to digest. No one is made to feel bad about anything, but we get to think about the value of what all that means to us.

When I was coming up with the idea for my second show, the thought process started with this question: what do I want people to take away? And the answer was I want people to have fun and also learn things. I came up with the idea of sharing the stage with other funny women who could perform comedy while also sharing life hacks, so everyone walks away winning!

NL: Aside from your own show, what are you looking forward to seeing/doing during the 2023 summer festivals seasons?

AK: I’m so looking forward to exploring more of WA. Before the festival kicks off, I’m planning another road trip in South WA to do a bit of sightseeing and hiking. During the festival, I will be adventuring around the city. Perth has really grown on me, each time I visit I fall a little more in love with it. It’s a big city with small town vibes, and people are so friendly.

I’ll also be catching other shows during the festival, I have a few talented friends I can’t wait to see in action including Emo Majok, Joe White, Jason Wood, Gill Cordiner and my friend who is coming to do his premier at the festival all the way from South Sudan, Akau Jambo.

NL: What’s next for you after this?

AK: I’m so excited for the year ahead! I’ll be returning to Canada after the festival to film a series with a director I am so excited to work with. 

Next, I head to South Africa for the Johannesburg International Comedy Festival. 

Then I relocate to Pittsburg for an artist residency. I was a finalist in their recruitment and will stay there for a few months with other comedians. We’ll have access to a studio and they will teach us how to use the equipment which is going to be so fun! I have so much content I’ve written but never had the means of creating, so this access and help will be really valuable for me. While I am there I will continue touring my solo show. I have already been accepted to six other fringe festivals in USA and Canada for 2023, more to come!

NL: What is your favourite part of the playground? 

AK: I love the swings, I pretend I’m flying. I’m constantly jealous of birds, who I imagine spend their days laughing at us humans stuck on our feet.

Where You From, From plays Palace Cinemas Raine Square 20 January – 19 February 2023.

All That She Wants plays Behind the Fridge Door at Convenients, 20 January – 19 February 2023.

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