At the age of 21, Don was a young fresh faced Business graduate from a typical middle class Indian family. He wanted the same things as other people in his position, which was a well-paid graduate job and to eventually get on the housing ladder. Politics did not even enter his mind. That was until he got fired not from one but two management trainee roles, for being too slow and making a litany of mistakes. This made him descend into depression and ultimately a breakdown. The light at end of the tunnel was that this made him realize he had been living with various undiagnosed learning difficulties. Through meeting other people with Dyspraxia (coordination and organisation problems), he had found his tribe. But he noticed how many people with it and other difficulties were marginalised from society, such as having their benefits sanctioned. This made Don become a champion for the small guy ultimately joining the Labour Party. Also, at the same time Don discovered stand-up, a great place to air his political views. Not working full time gave Don more time to think about what was really going on in the world we live in. Being forced out the rat race was a blessing in disguise. Join Don on his unique journey from a run of the mill graduate to becoming a political activist and award-winning comedian.
Don's Comedy Bio
On the surface Don Biswas is a straight forward and old fashioned gag merchant. However, he does talk about a wide variety of unique subjects from having Dyspraxia, A.D.H.D and mild Asperger's Syndrome (learning difficulties that effect coordination, concentration and social skills). Also thrown into the mix is politics, interwoven with conspiracy theories, for that extra punch.
When discussing politics Don very much takes an alternative view on the subject, thus talking about the lack choice available in the current system, mainstream media censorship to conspiracy theories, among other topics. However, all of this is done in a tongue and check way, with plenty of gags, meaning he is able to play to a wide variety of rooms.
His comedy has lead him to be a part of Abnormally Funny People a specialist comedy show for comics, who talk about their disabilities and difficulties. Don also has done school's tour support (only for certain dates) for comedian John William’s solo shows My Son's not Rainman. He also did his debut Edinburgh show Left-Wing Conspiracy Theorist with Dyspraxia in 2017. See reviews below.
TV AND RADIO
AS HEARD ON RADIO 4 13 MILLION CLUB As seen on BBC Asian Network. Guest on BBC Asian Network Radio, The Nihal Show. Guest on BBC Asian network Raido, Mawaan and Emily show. Guest on BBC Ouch podcast (disability talk show). Guest on No Pressure to be Funny podcast on the British comedy guide. Guest on Abnormally Funny People podcast.
Gigs Paid work for Grassroots Labour, Downstairs at the King's Head, Gag House Comedy and Abnormally Funny people among other clubs. School tour support for John Williams show My Son's not Rainman Corporate and writing work for Abnormally Funny People including the USA and Switzerland.
AWARDS AND COMPETITIONS New act of the year finalist 2015.
QUOTES
'By the quality of his jokes alone, including a choice one about a corporate gig for the DWP, Biswas is the show’s star turn'. Guardian.
'His fresh takes on current affairs are consistently hilarious. This will be the first time many audience members would have laughed with, and not at, a conspiracy theorist. At more solemn moments his sincerity cuts through the jovial atmosphere to reveal a great intellect, and an ability to correctly and resonantly sum up a certain political reality. Clever, funny and insane.' Broadway Baby
'Don Biswas put more emphasis on slick one-liners, which made much of his Asperger's and Asian background. But his best joke and my favourite of the night had nothing to do with either, and was all the better for confounding the expectations he had created'. Londonisfunny.com
