Queers and surrealism, for some reason, are not often bedfellows. I’m not sure why, as surrealism removes any boundaries to the imagination, perfect for the creative mind. Add in slapstick comedy, a queer love story and hunky Russell Tovey (Looking, The History Boys), and you have Juice, a unique hit BBC comedy series by YouTuber Mawaan Rizwan, (How Gay Is Pakistan), available around the globe on BBC Three/Iplayer.
Rizwan plays 31-year-old millennial Londoner Jamma, an anarchic, immature man-child marketing executive who’s in a relationship with his calm, older therapist boyfriend Guy (Russell Tovey). We follow him across six episodes as he hilariously navigates his chaotic work, family, social and romantic lives. Jamma needs constant stimulation and attention, and creates drama as soon as life becomes quiet. The ensuing trail of chaos runs his family, friends, co-workers and partner ragged. This is all done in the most amusing, surreal manner, whilst maintaining an underlying sense of familial warmth and love.
The joyous, cartoony show was born a few years ago at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where Tovey became a fan, and has grown from there. Jamma’s long-suffering mother Farida and brother Isaac are played by Rizwan’s real-life mother Shahnaz (who is brilliant) and brother Nabhaan. Self-humiliation, surrealism, funny walks, cringe-inducing situations and jaw-dropping embarrassment make Juice a welcome addition to the British quirky comedy hall of fame that includes The Mighty Boosh, Red Dwarf, The Young Ones and Spaced. Although at the heart of Juice is a queer love story, the homosexuality is secondary to everything else going on, and Jamma’s queerness is never questioned or doubted by anyone in his world. This is particularly refreshing viewing from an Asian family perspective. At the end of each colourful crazy episode you’ll think “What the fuck was that about?” Then eagerly dive into the next one.
Queerguru’s Contributing Editor Ris Fatah is a successful fashion/luxury business consultant (when he can be bothered) who divides and wastes his time between London and Ibiza. He is a lover of all things queer, feminist, and human rights in general. @ris.fatah
