Thanks to the growing numbers of comedy clubs and open mic nights in the region, stand-up comedy in Southeast Asia is entering boomtime. So in testament to this growing scene, Saigon International Comedy is flying in some of the best proponents of laughter in Asia for two nights of raucous comedy. If you want something called ‘international’, this is it. On the stage will be comics from the US, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam and the UK.

[TURNER SPARKS]

Topping the bill on Friday, May 20 in Saigon is lauded American comic, Turner Sparks. Based in Suzhou and Shanghai, China, Turner started his comedy career in 2009 by founding Mainland China’s first stand up comedy group, Stand Up China. Currently a regular performer at Shanghai’s Kung Fu Komedy Club, the former ice-cream salesman has performed hundreds of shows throughout China and Asia, most recently awarded ‘Best of the Fest’ at the 2014 Akumal Comedy Festival in Mexico presented by Stand Up Records

This will be Turner’s last tour of Asia before returning to New York to pursue his career in comedy.

[CHRIS WEGODA]

Also flying in to perform at both shows is Chris Wegoda, one of the best-known figures on the Bangkok comedy scene. The co-founder of Comedy Club Bangkok, Chris was born in the UK to an ethnically rich and flavourful heritage — he is half British, half Thai. Starting his comedy career in 2011, Chris is also an accomplished actor and performs improv comedy as part of The Comedy Club Bangkok’s resident improv group. Described by the British A-lister comedienne, Gina Yashere, as “a cool, self-assured, confident performer. A star in the making,” Chris will be taking on the role of MC.

[THE LOCAL COMICS]

Naturally, to give such a show some real depth, there are a number of Vietnam-based performers taking to the stage.

The founder of a Saigon-based Open Mic night on Mondays at 2 in 1 Restaurant, Tom McNulty is an American comedian who draws influence from comedians such as Bill Burr, Doug Stanhope, George Carlin, Dave Chappelle, Stephen Wright as well as many others. A recent finalist in the Magners-sponsored Big V Comedy Competition, Tom mixes his comedic influences with his own unique, yet slightly deadpan flare.

Partnering Tom will be Vietnamese comic, Uy Le. Second in March’s Big V Comedy Competition, Uy describes himself as “a premature comic who loves dead baby jokes because they never get old.” His talents include cynicism, amorality, sarcasm and magic tricks. Says Uy: “Dark comedy is like food, not everybody gets it.”

Also on stage will be newcomer to the comedy scene, Shandy Roque. Shandy has a love of fun, getting lost, humour, and yes, getting lost again. She once got lost in her own bedroom looking for the refrigerator, and still thinks she’s in Hanoi after taking that fateful wrong turn to Saigon.

And finally, all the way from Bangkok is Natalie Warisa, a Thai-Chinese corporate slave with a true passion for comedy. Natalie started her journey in Bangkok’s English language comedy scene after winning a humorous story telling contest and has since played alongside international comics such as Ron Josol at The Comedy Club Bangkok where she performs regularly as she hones her stand-up skills.

[THE DETAILS]

The show will be held at Game On Saigon (115, Ho Tung Mau, Q1) on Friday, May 20. Doors are at 8pm and entrance is VND200,000 and includes a glass of Pasteur Street IPA