Melbourne International Comedy Festival review

William Wang jokes about the ‘lukewarm, tepid energy’ the audience bring to a show at 5pm on Sunday show – though, in honesty, it suits his low-key style.

It’s very controlled, and quite charming, and draws the audience in to his good-natured stand-up. His calm demeanour can also enhance the material, making the absurd sound credible – as a silly segment about the apparent trend for testicle tattooing attests.

As a newly-minted Australian citizen, nine years after moving here, the core of his debut is a playful roam around the stereotypes from both sides of the cultural gap. There are comments about the Chinese thirst for baby milk formula or the terror of encountering Aussie spiders or – even worse – someone who expresses an emotion. It’s a bit safe and predictable this, even if nicely told. 

Ditto his relationship material on specifics such as getting told off for forgetting a anniversary. Even when talking about his mother going from Buddhist to Jehovah’s Witness – which is quite the transition and should be a distinctive topic – the jokes are almost all about the sect’s door-knocking.

Crowd work’s not his forte, either, and needless interactions with the audience rarely go anywhere interesting.

Yet for all the shortcomings of his too-superficial material, there’s something very endearing about Wang’s presence. Having made the Raw finals in 2023 and formed part of the Comedy Zone showcase last year, he’s clearly on the rise – digging deeper for inspiration could put a rocket under that.

Review date: 8 Apr 2025
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
Reviewed at: Melbourne International Comedy Festival