Comedians from around the world to perform at Hong Kong International Comedy Festival
Top prize of US$5,100 and a mini tour of US draws dozens of overseas comedians to compete at city’s three-week festival. Founder Jami Gong reflects on how the event has grown
The Hong Kong International Comedy Festival, which runs from October 11 to November 3, these days can justify the “international” in its title.
This year, 23 of the 30 performers in its main event, the Hong Kong International Comedy Competition, will be travelling in from outside Hong Kong, including four from the United States and one from Europe. When it was founded 12 years ago, all 20 comedians performing were based in Hong Kong.
They will compete over three nights of preliminary rounds at TakeOut Comedy Club in SoHo from October 18 to 20, followed by the final on October 27 at Cyberport. The winner will receive HK$40,000 (US$5,100) and the chance of a tour featuring up to three dates at top venues in the US.
Before that, the festival kicks off with three shows from October 11 to 13 featuring US comedian Sean Patton, and will close with three shows from November 1 to 3 starring South African comedian Barry Hilton.
Who’d have thought you’d have comedians coming to Hong Kong to get a gig in New York or LA?
Both Patton and Hilton’s first nights will be at the Charterhouse Hotel in Wan Chai, followed by two shows at TakeOut. There are also two “Best of Fest” shows at TakeOut on October 25 and 26.