CLASSIFICATION RATINGS
Arts entertainment performances are also subject to four classification ratings: General, Advisory, Advisory 16, and Restricted 18 (R18). This affects how much comedians can say and how closely their content is scrutinised.
The R18 rating is the only one where age restrictions must be imposed by the licensees or organisers.
Kumar said he always rates his shows R18, given that using Advisory 16 can get a comedian into more trouble because of the content of the show.
“I don’t risk it, because people know what I do. People want to come and hear that, so you just put yourself R18,” he added.
A legend in Singapore’s entertainment scene, Kumar’s popularity in the region has risen in recent years after clips of his past stand-up acts went viral on video-sharing sites such as TikTok and YouTube.
Heazry said he has not received much pushback from the authorities over the applications he submits for comedians, though they do go off-script at times.
When The Comedy Club Asia brings in foreign comedians, Hearzy said he tells them they have 20 to 25 minutes on stage, which covers about five jokes.
He asks them what their premise and setup is, which will be submitted as a talking point in their application to IMDA.
“I think in the early days, there were a couple of times we did send in (the application) late. They called us in and said: ‘Hey, look, you know, you can’t send it too late’,” Heazry said.
Performers should avoid this by sending their script to the authorities earlier than the 40-day deadline, noted Kumar.
