It's bit ironic isn't it? Rishi Budhrani's comedy monologue is called "Can I make you a suit, mate?" —yet he was sacked from his father's tailoring business. Talk about a career pivot. But look, when life gives you lemons—or in this case, a pink slip—why not use it as fodder for a stand-up set? Which is what Rishi did in a show called Can I Make You a Suit, Mate? Drawing from his father's life as an immigrant, this semi-improvised show is hilarious and most importantly heartfelt.

As the first stand-up comic to host the National Day Parade (NDP) back in 2022, Rishi is a seasoned performer, whose voice you may recognise as Sammy from the Netflix series Downstairs. He has made appearance on Comedy Central Asia and his TikTok clips, where he interviewed audience members during the NDP.

Originally presented at Esplanade, Can I Make You a Suit, Mate? is now staged at The Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre @ Wild Rice, Funan. Playing his father, Rishi narrates 40 years worth of stories, from outsmarting clients from every corner of the globe to surviving not only the tailoring industry but also the Gulf War, SARS, the Asian Financial Crisis, and the pandemic. All these while, he tries to make an audience member a suit. (Operative word here is "tries".)

Look forward to Rishi Budhrani's next endeavour, one that he stages with his wife and fellow-comic, Sharul Channa, called, rather aptly, The Rishi and Sharul Show 3.

Can I Make You a Suit, Mate? runs until 27 October. Get your tickets here.