Comedy is such a subjective thing, which is where a showcase can be an audience’s best friend. It can allow you to discover a range of new and established talents, knowing that each artist has limited time on stage. Those that tickle your funny bone leave you wanting more and looking up their solo shows. Those that don’t…well, they’re only on stage for a short time so you won’t have to wait long for your next laugh.

Cultural comedy is a surprising beast worth exploring if you haven’t already. As a Caucasian cis-male, I’m used to being in the majority, so hearing the call, “Are there any white people in the audience?” is both a culture shock and a thrilling setup that builds anticipation for new material that I haven’t heard before. Suddenly, I’m in the minority and it’s sublime!

When comedy comes from a cultural perspective, it suits all sides of the divide. Jokes about racism, language, cultural differences, food, etc are funny to Caucasians because it points a soft-focussed lens on our own existence while also relating to the non-Caucasians who can see their own personal experiences inside each joke.

Harry Jun opens each night of the Asian Comedy Showcase. He’s an ocker-sounding Aussie-Korean and is one of those rare talents that barely needs a script. He’s naturally funny with the bulk of his 15-minute set adlibbed in discussion with the audience. The laughs were plentiful from the onset and he’s one to watch out for next year if you can’t catch this showcase or his solo show Harry Jun: Inside Jokes, Outside Voice this year.

Closing the showcase is rising star and 2024 RAW Comedy winner, Nathan Chin, who is also starring in Chinese Comedy Party at this year’s Fringe. Chin is the most polished of the lot, with a natural charm, cheeky smile and a stage presence that demands your attention. Sadly, despite being the headline act, he was given the same amount of time as the other artists but deserved much more.

Between these two star attractions, the lineup of the Showcase may change night to night but watch out for Yuki Nivez, a reoccurring guest who knows exactly how to nail a punchline as she weaves tales of trauma distinguishing between R and L through her Japanese accent. Her deadpan style may be laidback but the comedy is sharp. See her also in her one-woman show this Fringe, Yuki Nivez (JPN): Active Bitch Face.

Completing the roundup on this night was Indian comic Chetan Singh who managed many laughs despite nerves getting the better of him. A more confident delivery will help him land a few of his more controversial punchlines. The jokes are there, just not the delivery for such biting humour. There were more hits than misses overall though and I look forward to watching his growth as a comedian in future festivals.

This is the joy of showcases such as the Asian Comedy Festival. New comedians get their chance to begin or advance their career, and they’re flanked by seasoned pros to make sure the audience leaves with a smile.

You don’t have to be woke to wake up to the comedy gold found in cultural humour. It’s fresh, funny, and much cheaper than an international flight.