Climactic laughs
Three comedians, three positions surrounding climate change, and countless laughs in Game On!’s Climate Comedy Nights
Working together with comedy club Dumaszínház, CEEweb and the Game On! project came up with the Green Stand-up – Evening about sustainability, an initial set of 10 climate comedy nights to be performed until the end of 2021 in Budapest.
They say to never argue about climate change: it always turns into a heated debate…
Nevertheless, the Game On! project decided to work together with three Hungarian comedians from Budapest-based Dumaszínház — Péter Janklovics, Gergely Litkai, and Máté Balázs Szabó — to produce a set of 10 climate comedy nights and tackle a topic that must be addressed.
Through irreverent audience interactions to showcase the climate challenges that society is facing and will continue to face, the “Green Stand-up – Evening about sustainability” tries to answer today’s most pressing questions: can we truly live in a sustainable way? Do we have a future at all or are we doomed to ruin? What does Björn Thunberg think of his sister? How should we approach a conversation on climate change and biodiversity at a family lunch? Why do porn websites consume as much energy as the whole of Belgium? All of these questions and more are currently being replied to as part of Game On!’s activities that aim to raise awareness of climate change.
Jokes for Thought
Gergely Litkai, lead comedian of the show and manager of Dumaszínház, has highlighted how important it is to discuss the realities of climate change. He states that the comedy house has already incorporated sustainability principles into their operational processes, as well as organised workshops for their roster of comedians to raise awareness on this critical issue.
“Green Stand-up – Evening about sustainability” presents Litkai playing the role of a citizen who is on the fence in the discussion on climate change. Meanwhile, the comedian Péter Janklovics plays the citizen who has no idea what to do about climate change despite his awareness of the problem, and Máté Balázs Szabó plays the “green guy” character.
The overall aim of the performance is to confront the audience with diverse perspectives and opinions that people have within the climate debate, presenting up-to-date information on the mounting crisis we are facing. Accompanying all of this, of course, is a healthy dose of laughter.
“This is no longer an environmental issue, but a survival issue,” Litkai has stated. “For those who have a child or want a child, or want a slightly longer life on their own, these are fundamental questions that need to be answered. We don’t expect anyone to be vegan or have an electric car from tomorrow, but we try to provide support for what doubts we all currently have and support each other in what we can do. Of course, not didactically, but in a funny way, with a lot of videos, directed scenes, conversations, and even music inserts.”
With the first five comedy nights already gone between July and August, the next show will be taking place on 4 September. The remaining nights are taking place until the end of 2021. In addition to this, upcoming performances will be recorded and aired on Comedy Central in the coming months. In the meantime, a special comedy night will also be taking place on 5 September within KISERDŐfeszt, a cultural festival focused on urban sustainability and the future of Budapest.
Want to keep updated on when the next shows are happening? Just follow our social media channels, and join us for some laughs while also learning more about climate change!