Catch International TV Comedian Annie Yang’s First Beijing Show

This past year has seen a number of talented international comedians grace the Beijing stage, and there is another one in store! Bali-based comedian Annie Yang will have her Beijing comedy debut this weekend (Nov 29 and Nov 30).

Yang first started doing comedy in 2016 while she was living in Taiwan, and she has performed on stages across Asia, including in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. Yang then moved to Bali, Indonesia, in 2021, where she joined the Bali Comedy Club and then rose to national fame in 2022 when she took part in Stand Up Comedy Indonesia (SUCI X), which aired on Kompas TV. 

She is known for her dark and provocative style, using comedy to explore topics like discrimination, mental health, and relationships. Ahead of her Beijing show, we reached out to Yang to find out more about her comedy journey, what it was like being on a stand-up TV competition, and how she feels about performing in Beijing for the first time.

It's great to meet you, Annie. So, firstly, what made you decide to start doing comedy, and how did you get started?
I've always been a fan of comedy, so I used to attend comedy shows a lot. When I was living in Taiwan, I would always go and watch open mics. This led to me befriending many of the comedians, who I began hanging out [with]. Then, one day at an open mic, the host that night just called my name on stage. I hadn't prepared at all, so I just roasted the previous comedians. Not going to lie though, I think that's the push I needed. 

What was it like doing stand-up for the first time?
It was very scary because I was worried that I would bomb. But my first time on stage I actually got nice reactions and responses, so I just kept doing it.

How would you best describe your style of comedy?
Raw, cynicism, dark, and explicit. I like to keep the audience guessing and on the edge of their seat until the punch line.

You first started doing stand-up comedy in Taiwan. How does it compare to doing stand-up comedy in Bali?
Definitely different. The audiences I get in Bali are more diverse since it's a melting pot of tourists. There are people from different countries and not all members of the audience are native English speakers. So by itself, it's a challenge. Not to mention a lot of drunk people in the audience too, and sometimes they don't really behave well when the show is going on.

You've performed in quite a few different countries and cities. Which has been your favorite and why?
My favorite would be Vietnam, because that's how I met the love of my life! On a more serious note, I think it's Brunei Darussalam. Yep, I did a gig in Brunei. Because of the set up, I think that perhaps it wasn't strictly a legit official show as the gig was in someone's backyard.

You took part in the TV series Stand-Up Comedy Indonesia. What was that experience like?
Tough, but a good experience. I was one of the two people in there who do their stand-up in English, while the rest were doing it in Indonesian. If I remember correctly, by week four I was already [burnt out] because not only do you have to write a new set each week, but you also need to make sure it's safe for television.  

What have been your best and worst moments since doing comedy?
My best moment would be the first comedy special that I did. It was in Jakarta and the 400 tickets completely sold out. I didn't think that would happen. The worst moment was when I had to withdraw from the Stand Up Comedy Indonesia competition because my dumb ass was drunk and I got into a motorbike accident. I was confident that I could have been in the top three but, well, I had to leave the competition.

What comedians would you say have influenced you most?
John Mulaney. He will always be my number one role model in comedy. The way he delivers his set, his writing –  everything about it is just a masterpiece.

How do you feel about getting to perform in Beijing for the first time?
I'm very, very excited to perform in Beijing. I've always wanted to go to China's Mainland. My granddad is from Guangzhou and he always told me about [China's Mainland]. And now, not only do I get to visit but also make money at the same time. Not only that, I'm also very curious about the kind of audience I'll get in Beijing. 

Lastly, any words of advice for other budding comedians out there?
Perform as often as you can. Don’t be afraid to bomb – it’s how you know your stuff. Also remember the 12-hour window: It doesn't matter if you kill or bomb at a show, give yourself 12 hours to feel your feelings. The next day, that show doesn't matter. You should always be looking forward to the next show. Lastly, don't get too comfortable with your stuff. 

Annie Yang will be performing on Nov 29 at 7.30pm and on Nov 30 at 7pm and 9pm at Greenbox, Nanyang Hutong #6. Tickets are RMB 130-175 and can be purchased by scanning the QR code in the poster above. 

Greenbox, Nanyang Hutong #6
6 Nanyang Hutong, Dongcheng District
东城区南阳胡同6号

READ: From Jokes to Jams: Beijing’s Weekly Open Mic Nights

Images: courtesy of Annie Yang