Ethnic City responds to Melbourne's comedy diversity drought

Published by: Brendan Wan | 1-May-2019
Ethnic City features emerging performers of colour. The 50 min live variety show is held on Fridays 7pm during 24 May - 14 June at The Improv Conspiracy. Bookings highly recommended.
Venue: The Improv Conspiracy
Address: Level 1 / 19 Meyers Place Melbourne CBD
Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Ticket: $12.00
Buy / Ticket: https://improvconspiracy.com/shows/ethnic-city
Web: https://improvconspiracy.com/shows/ethnic-city
: facebook.com/ethniccitycomedy
: instagram.com/ethniccitycomedy
: twitter.com/ethniccityshow
Imagine a Melbourne stand-up comedy show where comedians of colour dominated centre stage. You won't find it, until now with the inaugural Ethnic City, a live comedy production showcasing the best up-and-coming performers from diverse backgrounds.

Creator and producer of Ethnic City, Brendan Wan, is set to change Melbourne's demographics of comedy.

"It's no secret Melbourne's creative arts industry lacks diversity. I know far too many incredibly talented ethnic actors, writers and comedians who need to create projects in order to pursue their artistic goals as their ethnicity isn't regarded as marketable," says Mr Wan.

It's easy to see why Ethnic City is tipped to attract an incredible reception with its all-star line up of acts including Margot Tanjutco, 2019 Golden Gibbo nominee at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, who blew audiences away for her performance in Vanity Fair Enough.

"People's response to my show has been gratifying and better than I could have dreamed. I don't have to make sense or justify myself to anyone, especially not the white or male gaze - I just have to believe in what I'm saying.

"It's a lesson I'm constantly learning and solidifying but the strength of those convictions are also owed to the community of diverse artists around me," says Ms Tanjutco.

Ethnic City is a fantastic example of supporting strong and diverse new voices including Australia's first All-South Asian Improv ensemble.

"When I started comedy, I could count the number of people of colour on one hand. Gradually more people of diverse backgrounds have been welcomed on stage but we still have a long way to go until ethnicity isn't regarded as unique," says Mr Wan.

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