Learn Globally Via Stand-up Comedy

It’s nice to observe how certain beliefs, events, and phenomena spread across the globe even if these things come from farthest regions of the planet. Traditions and customs are being introduced to various foreign places and then incorporated by the natives of that place and put into practice for quite some time. From the simplest up to the most complex concepts, the way certain practices in one country travels from one country to another has become proof of man’s inherent flexibility and willingness to change. With this in mind, let’s travel and learn stand-up comedy mechanisms all over the world.

China has embraced the positive aspects of stand-up comedy acts. In fact it has become a budding art form within the country. Hong Kong has become the focal point of stand-up acts in China as it features both local and international comics such as Tom Cotter via a full-time comedy club called The TakeOut Comedy Club Hong Kong. Another venue called Punchline Comedy Club also allows foreign acts to fill the happy meter of natives.

Let’s get a move on and head on to Singapore which has had a gradual development when it comes to the stand-up comedy scene. The country has a trio of active venues which include the likes of TakeOut Comedy, Each of Howl at the Moon, and The Comedy Club Asia. TakeOut Comedy allows for the performance of native comedians during its weekly open mic sessions while The Comedy Club Asia and Each of Howl at the Moon stage shows that feature prominent international performers like Paul Ogata. Kumar who has had a 17-year stint and whose act centers on being a drag queen is considered the leading stand-up comedian of Singapore.

Filipinos are said to have a strong positive belief in life that despite numerous accounts of tribulations and calamities that has plagued the country its people has remained in great smiles and laughter. This can be backed up by the growing industry of stand-up comedy in the country. The comic scene is primarily boosted by performers by engaging in popular forms of humor in the country which is commonly tagged as slapstick.

The Filipino comedic style revolves around redoing well-documented jokes but with more exaggeration in terms of the situation. Comedians also have a good time with the audience by mimicking well-known celebrities, engaging in hilarious song and dance numbers, and even going as far as making fun of the audience. Over the years, bars that feature stand up comedians such as Zirco have grown in popularity and has received constant patronage. At present, the western method of stand-up comedy is going in full force due mostly to the efforts of a group called the Comedy Cartel which is composed of veteran comics like Alex Cajelas, Mike Unson, and Tim Tayag.

Apart from the growing status of stand-up comedy in various countries around the planet, it has also become a steady focus of four major international festivals. These major events include HBO’s US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Just for Laughs in Montreal, Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland, and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in Australia. Other comedy festivals are the Vancouver Comedy Festival, the Boston Comedy and Film Festival, the Cat Laughs Comedy Festival in Ireland, and the more prominent Comedy Festival in Las Vegas.

Stand-up comedy has reached a full-grown global status. In the years to come, avid supporters will surely grow in number as people are starting to learn how significant it is to, once in a while, unwind and relax for a good heart-felt laugh.